The future of archiving: 10 billion songs in one liter of liquid?

DNA is the most efficient information storage system in the known universe. While conventional magnetic and optical media degrade after just a few decades, DNA can retain information for thousands of years under the right conditions. Scientists have now broken previous records and created a system that can store an incredible 10 billion music tracks in a single liter of liquid.

How does a “biological hard drive” work? Digital data, which is usually made up of zeros and ones (binary system), is translated by algorithms into the four basic building blocks of DNA: adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G) and thymine (T). These chemical bases are then artificially synthesized into long strands of DNA. The information is stored at the molecular level, allowing for a million times higher storage density than the best modern chips. If DNA is frozen or stored in a dark, dry place, the data can survive for more than 20,000 years.

Despite the fascinating numbers, the technology is not yet ready for general use in your smartphone. The main obstacles are:

– High costs: The synthesis of artificial DNA is currently extremely expensive and time-consuming.
– Reading speed: Finding a specific file (e.g. a particular song) in a liter of liquid is like finding a needle in a haystack. Scientists must use complex sequencing methods to convert the data back into digital form.
– Liquid preparation: Similar to new batteries with nickel-rich cathodes, where researchers struggle with internal cracks, DNA also experiences chemical instabilities that must be addressed for long-term safe storage.

Conclusion The DNA storage system represents the future of “cold archiving,” storing family photos, cultural artifacts, and digital art masterpieces that we don’t need every day but want to preserve for future generations. As the cost of synthesis falls, the entire Internet of the future may be stored in a space no larger than the trunk of a small car.