DNA Data Storage

DNA data storage is considered a promising alternative storage technology for many reasons. It offers high information density, 103-104x greater than the capacity of tape, and can store the world’s data in the size of a shoebox. Unlike conventional storage methods, as long as humans are interested in DNA, readers (DNA sequencers) will never be obsolete. Additionally, DNA can be extremely durable under the right conditions. Recently, a horse genome was sequenced from a fossil greater than 700,000 years old. Our experiments here will help us understand how radiation damages synthetic DNA and inform us on how to preserve DNA files.