Computational, Chemical and Biotechnology Solutions to Improved DNA Data Storage: from In-Product Information and Cryptography to Long-Term Archiving

Introduction

Modern information-based society largely relies on trusted information storage in a large variety of setups, ranging from long-term digital archiving to embedding information into products. DNA is a promising future storage medium for such diverse applications as it offers sustainable and robust long-term information storage at extraordinary information density. DNA will also never become obsolete. However, long-term DNA archival storage is still very expensive.

Project Goals

In DiDAX, we will develop new approaches to DNA storage based on:

1. Novel encoding and decoding algorithms.
2. New reduced cost synthesis approaches.
3. New embedding technologies.

Specific Objectives

Specifically, we will provide:

• Synthesis, encoding, and decoding methods for efficient reduced cost archiving using standard and composite DNA.
• In-product information storage technologies, including encapsulation and embedding, as well as tailored coding and reconstruction approaches.
• Methods for efficient labeling and cryptographic authentication.
• Efficient and new approaches to photolithography-based synthesis and composite synthesis of DNA, to enable reduced-cost DNA storage.

Demonstration and Impact

We will demonstrate end-to-end proof of concept (PoC) systems for:

• Reduced-cost archival storage.
• In-product information storage.
• DNA-based authentication protocols.

The DiDAX project will expand the long-term applicability of archival DNA-based data storage through significant improvements in cost. Furthermore, DiDAX will broaden the range of DNA-based information technologies and lead to applications realizable in the short term by developing in-product information storage solutions and DNA-based authentication protocols.

Interdisciplinary Approach

DiDAX methodology is highly interdisciplinary, building on expertise in:

• Computer science.
• Engineering.
• Chemistry.
• Material science.
• Building complete DNA-based storage systems.

Broader Impact

DiDAX impact spans applications and technology domains and will be disseminated and exploited to benefit European society and industry.