Breakthrough in DNA Data Storage: Genomika and KTU Collaborate on Revolutionary D moNAMIC Project

Breakthrough in DNA Data Storage: Genomika and KTU Collaborate on Revolutionary DNAMIC Project

Genomika, in collaboration with the Ultrasound Research Institute at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU URI) and other partners, is working on the DNAMIC (DNA Microfactory for Autonomous Archiving) project to develop a DNA-based storage drive. This initiative is part of a global effort to create reliable, high-density, sustainable, and economically viable data storage solutions, as announced by KTU.

The project is funded by the European Commission through the European Innovation Council (EIC) Pathfinder Program, which supports the development of disruptive technologies. Genomika co-founder Ignas Galminas highlighted that DNA storage could address space issues, reduce water consumption for data center cooling, decrease the need for rare earth metals for SSD production, and enhance data archiving reliability and longevity.

The vast amount of data generated globally is increasing rapidly, with the human population producing 120 zettabytes in 2023, equivalent to 1,200,000,000 terabytes. This surge in data, driven by the exponential growth of AI data processing, necessitates long-term storage solutions without converting the world into an enormous data center. 

Professor Renaldas Raišutis, director of KTU URI, noted that conventional data storage centers consume 1.5% of the world’s electricity and emit 200 million tons of carbon dioxide annually. In response, the DNAMIC project aims to utilize DNA's four nucleobases—cytosine (C), guanine (G), adenine (A), and thymine (T)—to represent the binary data of current storage technologies.

Image Credit: KTU URI

DNA offers significant advantages, such as compactness and long-term stability, making it a promising medium for storing large amounts of data. Professor Raišutis emphasized that DNA's ability to store vast information in a small space makes it more compact than traditional digital media.

Dr. Lukas Žemaitis, another Genomika co-founder, pointed out that DNA has evolved over billions of years to store information, a trait humanity could harness as we advance further into the information age. Initially, DNA data storage is expected to be deployed in the healthcare sector, where data needs to be stored and accessible for a patient's lifetime. However, this technology holds broader potential, including reducing power consumption and cooling requirements for data storage.

The three-year timeline for the DNAMIC project is an estimate, with potential roadblocks yet to be encountered. The project is part of a broader trend of exploring natural processes for digital computing needs. For instance, a Swiss startup has experimented with human brain organoids as bio-processors, which use significantly less power than traditional silicon chips.

This groundbreaking approach to data storage marks a significant step towards more sustainable and efficient solutions for the growing demands of the digital age.