The University of Missouri has developed the first rewritable data storage system based on DNA. Unlike previous solutions, the new technology allows information not only to be written, but also edited, making it a fully reusable medium.
Data are encoded using four nucleotides — A, C, G and T — turning familiar zeros and ones into molecular chains. In theory, all of humanity’s data could fit into the volume of a small box. Until now, such systems were used mainly for archives, because recorded information could not be changed. The team of scientists removed this limitation by creating a method for repeated rewriting.
Data are read using a nanopore sensor — a device through which a DNA molecule passes. As this happens, weak electrical signals are produced, which are then interpreted by software and converted back into digital information.
The idea of using DNA as an information carrier dates back to 1959, when physicist Richard Feynman first proposed it. The technology is not only functional but also practical: it is faster, easier to use, and more environmentally friendly than traditional solutions. DNA does not require constant power and can preserve information for thousands of years. Its physical form of storage also makes such data less vulnerable to cyberattacks. The only thing left is to shrink the device to the size of a USB flash drive.
