Project description
DNA for data encoding and storage
DNA technology can store data at unprecedented densities and low cost, using functionalised DNA to integrate digital bits along a single strand and encode information with natural DNA. The EU-funded DNA-FAIRYLIGHTS project will advance this concept to a completely new level by decorating DNA carriers with a precise sequence of metallic nanomaterials with well-defined optical responses. Researchers will design ultrasmall plasmonic and light-emitting particles with at least nine different distinct optical responses to allow multiplexed data encoding and permit direct optical readout. Results will inform novel technologies involving next-generation biomolecular synthesis, hybrid solid-state/biological systems, bioimaging, nanoplasmonics, DNA data storage, steganography and bio-optoelectronics.
Objective
Modern society has an ever-increasing need for long-term, high density data encoding and storage. DNA technology allows to store data at unprecedented density, and functionalized DNA integrates digital bits placed along a single strand to encode information, which is available at low cost with natural (not-synthetic) DNA. DNA-FAIRYLIGHTS will raise this concept of functionalized natural DNA for data encoding and storage to a completely new level by decorating DNA carriers with a precise sequence of metallic nanomaterials with well-defined optical responses. These hybrid DNA structures will allow for direct optical readout, and the different resonance wavelengths will allow to go far beyond (0,1) encoding. In DNA-FAIRYLIGHTS we will design ultrasmall plasmonic and light-emitting particles with at least 9 different distinct optical responses that will enable multiplexed data encoding. We will develop concepts for linking/unlinking and orientational reconfiguration by external stimuli that will allow for reconfigurable memories and computation. The DNA-FAIRYLIGHTS project will provide: (i) a revolutionary technology that utilizes the DNA to arrange metallic nanomaterials in sequences with with nm precision; (ii) a novel approach to fabricate functionalized DNA that allows for integration of metal nanomaterials for data storage and manipulation; (iii) a next-generation model to encode and store information along the DNA; (iv) an optoelectronic/microfluidic system to modulate the arrangement of the metallic nanostructures along the DNA in order to dynamically control the information content; (v) readout devices with single particle sensitivity with fast response and decoding of the stored information in one functional unit. Each result of DNA-FAIRYLIGHTS will provide mile stones for novel technologies in next generation biomolecular synthesis, hybrid solid-state / biological systems, bioimaging, nanoplasmonics, DNA data storage, steganography and bio-optoelectronics.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
16163 Genova
Italy