To develop a DNA chip, the alike coded DNA should be synthesized and supported.” The truth that digital DNA information storage with high capability and a long life expectancy is practical has actually been demonstrated numerous times in recent years,” states Professor Thomas Dandekar, head of the Chair of Bioinformatics at Julius-Maximilians-Universität (JMU) Würzburg. “But the storage expenses are high, close to 400,000 US dollars per megabyte, and the information saved in the DNA can only be obtained gradually. These challenges need to be overcome to make DNA information storage more relevant and valuable. In this method, sustainability, full recyclability, and high robustness even versus electromagnetic pulses or power failures could be achieved, however likewise a high storage density of up to one billion gigabytes per gram of DNA.
Researchers have actually been concentrating on the capacity of DNA as an information storage medium due to its capacity to save large amounts of details in a tiny area.
In the form of DNA, nature shows how information can be kept in a long-term and space-saving manner. Würzburgs chair of bioinformatics is developing DNA chips for computer innovation.
The genetic molecule DNA is renowned for its ability to save vast amounts of details over long durations of time in an exceptionally little area. For a good 10 years, scientists have for that reason been pursuing the goal of establishing DNA chips for computer system innovation, especially for the long-term archiving of information. Such chips would transcend to standard silicon-based chips in regards to storage durability, density, and sustainability.
Four recurring standard structure blocks are found in a DNA hair. To develop a DNA chip, the likewise coded DNA should be manufactured and supported.
Information can be kept in the kind of DNA on chips made of semiconducting nanocellulose. Light-controlled proteins read the information. Credit: Chair of Bioinformatics/ University of Würzburg
Challenges in DNA Data Storage
” The fact that digital DNA information storage with high capability and a long life expectancy is practical has actually been shown numerous times in recent years,” says Professor Thomas Dandekar, head of the Chair of Bioinformatics at Julius-Maximilians-Universität (JMU) Würzburg. “But the storage expenses are high, near to 400,000 US dollars per megabyte, and the information kept in the DNA can only be retrieved slowly. It takes hours to days, depending upon the quantity of information.”
These challenges need to be overcome to make DNA data storage more marketable and applicable. Suitable tools for this are light-controlled enzymes and protein network design software application. Thomas Dandekar and his chair staff member Aman Akash and Elena Bencurova discuss this in a current evaluation in the journal Trends in Biotechnology.
Dandekars group is encouraged that DNA has a future as an information shop. In the journal, the JMU scientists reveal how a mix of molecular biology, nanotechnology, novel polymers, electronic devices, and automation, coupled with methodical development, could make DNA information storage useful for everyday usage possible in a couple of years.
Innovative DNA Chip Development
At the JMU Biocentre, Dandekars group is establishing DNA chips made from semiconducting, bacterially produced nanocellulose. “With our proof of idea, we can demonstrate how present electronic devices and computer technology can be partially changed by molecular biological components,” says the professor. In this way, sustainability, full recyclability, and high robustness even against electro-magnetic pulses or power failures might be attained, however also a high storage density of approximately one billion gigabytes per gram of DNA.
Thomas Dandekar ranks the advancement of DNA chips as highly relevant: “We will only last as a civilization in the longer term if we make the leap into this new type of sustainable computer system technology integrating molecular biology with electronics and new polymer innovation.”
What is essential for humanity, he stated, is to transfer to a circular economy in harmony with planetary boundaries and the environment. “We require to accomplish this in 20 to 30 years. Chip technology is an essential example of this, but the sustainable technologies to produce chips without e-waste and environmental pollution are not yet mature. Our nanocellulose chip principle makes a valuable contribution to this. In the new paper, we seriously analyzed our concept and advanced it further with existing innovations from research.”
More Improving DNA Storage Media
Dandekars group is currently working on integrating the DNA chips made of semiconducting nanocellulose even much better with the designer enzymes they have developed. The enzymes also need to be further enhanced.
” In this method, we wish to accomplish better and much better control of the DNA storage medium and be able to store much more on it, but also conserve expenses and thus step by action make it possible for useful usage as a storage medium in daily life.”
Recommendation: “How to make DNA data storage more applicable” by Aman Akash, Elena Bencurova and Thomas Dandekar, 15 August 2023, Trends in Biotechnology.DOI: 10.1016/ j.tibtech.2023.07.006.
The work explained is economically supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the Free State of Bavaria. Important cooperation partners are Sergey Shityakov, professor at the State University of Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics (ITMO) in Saint Petersburg, Daniel Lopez, PhD, from the Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, and Dr. Günter Roth, University of Freiburg and BioCopy GmbH (Emmendingen).