Robust direct digital-to-biological data storage in living cells

Area of Science:

• Synthetic Biology
• Bioinformatics
• Genomics

Background:

• Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a fundamental biological information storage medium with potential for high-density digital data storage.
• Current DNA data storage methods primarily rely on in vitro synthesis, lacking direct in vivo cellular encoding capabilities.
• Encoding digital data into living cell chromosomes in a single step remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel electrogenetic framework for direct digital data storage within living cells.
• To enable a single-step encoding of digital information into cellular genetic material.
• To explore the potential for information exchange between digital (silicon-based) and biological (carbon-based) systems.

Main Methods:

• Development of an engineered redox-responsive CRISPR adaptation system.
• Encoding binary data in 3-bit units into bacterial cell CRISPR arrays via electrical stimulation.
• Demonstration of multiplex data encoding into barcoded cell populations.

Main Results:

• Successful direct storage of digital data into bacterial chromosomes using an electrogenetic approach.
• Achieved a data storage capacity of up to 72 bits within barcoded cell populations.
• Demonstrated stability of stored information over multiple cell generations in natural environments.

Conclusions:

• Established a direct digital-to-biological data storage framework.
• Advanced the capability for seamless information transfer between digital and biological entities.
• This method offers a promising avenue for high-density, inheritable data storage in living cells.