Periodic Reporting for period 1 - PEARL-DNA (Interoperable end-to-end platform of scalable and sustainable high-throughput technologies for DNA-based digital data storage)
Período documentado: 2023-10-01 hasta 2024-09-30
In a world driven by data, the need for innovative and sustainable data storage solutions has never been more pressing. Advancements in artificial intelligence and its applications, healthcare, astronomy, physics, climate science, pharmacy and genetics – all depend on the storage of massive data sets to remain competitive and drive scientific discovery. Meanwhile, more than 6 billion smartphone users are generating constant streams of location data, photos and videos with data storage demand.
Clearly, the world is running out of data storage. Moreover, current technologies for digital data storage address various technological and sustainability limits. A significant share of new data is not yet stored beyond the short term, and conventional storage media do not have the capacity, longevity, data density or cost efficiency to meet global demand.
Dedicated to pioneering a novel, high-throughput, end-to-end proof of concept (PoC) platform that leverages the power of DNA, PEARL-DNA will develop and assess a complete end-to-end chain of innovative solutions – contributing to improving speed, accuracy, energy efficiency and costs associated with DNA digital data storage.
Clearly, the world is running out of data storage. Moreover, current technologies for digital data storage address various technological and sustainability limits. A significant share of new data is not yet stored beyond the short term, and conventional storage media do not have the capacity, longevity, data density or cost efficiency to meet global demand.
Dedicated to pioneering a novel, high-throughput, end-to-end proof of concept (PoC) platform that leverages the power of DNA, PEARL-DNA will develop and assess a complete end-to-end chain of innovative solutions – contributing to improving speed, accuracy, energy efficiency and costs associated with DNA digital data storage.
Key technical advancements achieved during the first reporting period focus on establishing an end-to-end data storage and retrieval system on DNA, from data preparation to retrieval.
To ensure reliable data integrity, a robust error detection and correction module is being developed, tailored to handle the unique challenges of block-by-block synthesized DNA. This system safeguards data across all stages, leveraging a multi-tiered error correction approach to enhance data encoding and decoding accuracy. Similarly, a tailored approach to data compression has been completed.
Significant progress was made in high-throughput liquid handling systems to manage DNA assembly at sub-microliter volumes, alongside advancements in block-by-block (BbB) DNA assembly for efficient data storage at high density. A custom-designed DNA storage container was prototyped to maintain long-term preservation at room temperature, addressing a major need for stability of DNA data storage.
Furthermore, streamlined DNA processing methods were developed to facilitate efficient data storage and retrieval, supported by custom decoding software. A successful experiment demonstrated the functionality of the end-to-end BbB storage system, underscoring the project’s potential to provide a scalable, modular, and interoperable DNA data storage solution.
To ensure reliable data integrity, a robust error detection and correction module is being developed, tailored to handle the unique challenges of block-by-block synthesized DNA. This system safeguards data across all stages, leveraging a multi-tiered error correction approach to enhance data encoding and decoding accuracy. Similarly, a tailored approach to data compression has been completed.
Significant progress was made in high-throughput liquid handling systems to manage DNA assembly at sub-microliter volumes, alongside advancements in block-by-block (BbB) DNA assembly for efficient data storage at high density. A custom-designed DNA storage container was prototyped to maintain long-term preservation at room temperature, addressing a major need for stability of DNA data storage.
Furthermore, streamlined DNA processing methods were developed to facilitate efficient data storage and retrieval, supported by custom decoding software. A successful experiment demonstrated the functionality of the end-to-end BbB storage system, underscoring the project’s potential to provide a scalable, modular, and interoperable DNA data storage solution.
As the project progresses, the impacts of its results could reshape data archiving, especially for entities requiring long-term, secure, and space-efficient storage. DNA-based data storage holds the potential to significantly reduce the physical and environmental footprint associated with traditional data centres, aligning with global sustainability goals.
To realise these benefits and enable widespread adoption, the project must address several key needs:
Further Research and Demonstration: Additional research is essential to refine the platform's robustness, scalability, and cost-efficiency. Demonstrations in real-world environments will validate system performance and ensure that DNA data storage can seamlessly integrate with existing data management systems.
Access to Markets and Finance: To transition from proof-of-concept to commercial viability, the project will need financing for market-entry strategies and scaling efforts. Partnerships with data-intensive sectors—such as archival institutions, scientific research organizations, and tech industries—will be crucial for early adoption and customer validation.
Commercialization and IPR Support: As DNA data storage is an emerging field, securing intellectual property rights (IPR) for key innovations will protect PEARL-DNA’s competitive advantage and incentivise investment. Clear IPR strategies, coupled with commercialisation support, will pave the way for market entry and potential licensing or collaboration opportunities with established tech firms.
Supportive Regulatory and Standardization Framework: Engagement with international standardization bodies and regulatory agencies will be essential to ensure DNA data storage technologies comply with biosafety, biosecurity, data security, privacy, and environmental regulations. Active participation in setting standards for DNA storage formats, error correction, and retrieval methods will foster industry-wide compatibility and customer confidence.
Internationalisation and Partnerships: Collaboration with international research institutions and technology providers will broaden PEARL-DNA’s reach and foster global knowledge exchange. These partnerships will accelerate innovation, facilitate access to diverse markets, and establish DNA data storage as a global standard.
By addressing these needs, PEARL-DNA is positioned to drive the commercialization and adoption of DNA-based data storage, paving the way for a sustainable, resilient, and scalable solution to global data storage challenges.
To realise these benefits and enable widespread adoption, the project must address several key needs:
Further Research and Demonstration: Additional research is essential to refine the platform's robustness, scalability, and cost-efficiency. Demonstrations in real-world environments will validate system performance and ensure that DNA data storage can seamlessly integrate with existing data management systems.
Access to Markets and Finance: To transition from proof-of-concept to commercial viability, the project will need financing for market-entry strategies and scaling efforts. Partnerships with data-intensive sectors—such as archival institutions, scientific research organizations, and tech industries—will be crucial for early adoption and customer validation.
Commercialization and IPR Support: As DNA data storage is an emerging field, securing intellectual property rights (IPR) for key innovations will protect PEARL-DNA’s competitive advantage and incentivise investment. Clear IPR strategies, coupled with commercialisation support, will pave the way for market entry and potential licensing or collaboration opportunities with established tech firms.
Supportive Regulatory and Standardization Framework: Engagement with international standardization bodies and regulatory agencies will be essential to ensure DNA data storage technologies comply with biosafety, biosecurity, data security, privacy, and environmental regulations. Active participation in setting standards for DNA storage formats, error correction, and retrieval methods will foster industry-wide compatibility and customer confidence.
Internationalisation and Partnerships: Collaboration with international research institutions and technology providers will broaden PEARL-DNA’s reach and foster global knowledge exchange. These partnerships will accelerate innovation, facilitate access to diverse markets, and establish DNA data storage as a global standard.
By addressing these needs, PEARL-DNA is positioned to drive the commercialization and adoption of DNA-based data storage, paving the way for a sustainable, resilient, and scalable solution to global data storage challenges.