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We discussed it in 2023 with an article on this topic. But three years later, European researchers have created the DNAMIC micro-factory, which turns ordinary computer files into synthetic DNA and stores the information in tiny metal capsules. Preserving the recorded data does not require electricity, while the same molecules, under appropriate conditions, can remain intact for thousands of years. The technology has already been tested in Switzerland on a historic archive of the watchmaking industry, taking another step toward creating a lasting alternative to hard drives and magnetic tapes.
DNA’s potential impresses especially for its storage density.
According to researchers’ estimates, a single gram of molecules could theoretically hold the digital collections of the world’s largest libraries. Moreover, DNA takes up negligible space and requires no constant maintenance, provided it is protected from the destructive effects of the surrounding environment. For archives that need to be preserved for decades and centuries, the combination of enormous capacity and long lifespan is particularly attractive.
DNAMIC operates on a rather unusual principle. Every computer file consists of a sequence of zeros and ones, but DNA molecules use their own four-letter alphabet: A, T, G, and C. Each letter represents one of the chemical bases that make up the molecule. A special program translates the binary code into a sequence of letters, after which the equipment assembles the corresponding synthetic DNA strand. Consequently, photographs, documents and other files become a genuine molecular material.
However, it is not possible to record a random combination of letters. Some sequences hinder the correct assembly of molecules or increase the likelihood of errors during reading. Therefore, the program pre-selects appropriate combinations and adds information that helps correct errors.
A similar task is also solved by other molecular memory researchers. For example, a recent DNA encoding algorithm has brought storage density close to 41 exabytes per gram of material. At the end of the recording, the resulting molecules are placed into small stainless‑steel capsules. The metal sheath protects DNA from oxygen, light, humidity and temperature fluctuations. Inside the capsule there is no electronics, batteries or moving parts, so the finished archive can remain without electrical power. Electricity will be needed only for writing and subsequently reading the files.
To test the technology in practice, the experts selected historic documents from the watchmaking industry archive in the Swiss town of Saint‑Imier. The materials were digitized and used to test the DNA storage system. The developers also planned for the possibility of later extracting the information and restoring the original files. However, there are still no confirmed long‑term preservation results.
The conception of DNAMIC took three years. The European Union allocated about €2.44 million for the project. During the work, researchers combined several complex processes into a single system: preparing digital files, synthesizing molecules, quality control and reading the recorded information. Previously, performing similar operations required separate laboratory equipment and the constant involvement of specialists.
Currently, the main issue concerns the speed and cost of recording. Converting a digital file into DNA can take several hours, and reading requires determining the sequence of chemical bases using a special device. A home computer with a molecular storage unit is still hard to imagine, especially if the user must constantly open, edit and save documents.
However, developers are already preparing for commercial application. At the end of the research project, the team created the DNAMIC company, which intends to scale up production of molecular storage units and bring the technology out of the labs.
The first users could be large archives, libraries, scientific centers and organizations that need to preserve vast amounts of information for decades. For everyday use, hard drives and semiconductor memory devices will remain far more convenient. However, documents that today fill entire server racks could in the future be contained in tiny metal capsules and survive multiple generations of computer hardware.
