Biocompatible Writing of Data into DNA

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a biocompatible DNA data storage method using addressing oligonucleotides, enabling biological processing and potential computational operations, with prospects for advanced readout techniques.

Contribution

It introduces a simple, biocompatible DNA writing scheme that allows for downstream enzymatic and biological processing, advancing DNA data storage and computing.

Findings

DNA can be written using addressing oligonucleotides

The stored DNA is suitable for enzymatic and biological processing

Proposed advanced readout methods include protein/DNA complexes and nano-pore schemes

Abstract

A simple DNA-based data storage scheme is demonstrated in which information is written using "addressing" oligonucleotides. In contrast to other methods that allow arbitrary code to be stored, the resulting DNA is suitable for downstream enzymatic and biological processing. This capability is crucial for DNA computers, and may allow for a diverse array of computational operations to be carried out using this DNA. Although here we use gel-based methods for information readout, we also propose more advanced methods involving protein/DNA complexes and atomic force microscopy/nano-pore schemes for data readout.