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A biological camera that captures and stores images directly into DNA
Cheng Kai Lim1,2,3,4,5, Jing Wui Yeoh1,4, Aurelius Andrew Kunartama1,4
1Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation, National University of Singapore, 28 Medical Drive, Singapore, 117456, Singapore.
Nature Communications
|July 3, 2023
Summary
Researchers developed a novel method to store digital images in DNA without de novo synthesis. This
Area of Science:
- Bio-digital interfaces
- Synthetic biology
- Data storage technologies
Background:
- Biological materials, particularly DNA, are promising for digital data storage.
- Current DNA data storage methods rely on de novo DNA synthesis, which is inefficient and costly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a method for capturing 2D light patterns into DNA without de novo synthesis.
- To establish a 'living digital camera' for biological data recording.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing optogenetic circuits to record light exposure into DNA.
- Encoding spatial locations with barcoding.
- Retrieving stored images via high-throughput next-generation sequencing.
Main Results:
- Successfully encoded multiple images into DNA (1152 bits total).
- Demonstrated selective image retrieval and robustness to environmental stressors (drying, heat, UV).
- Achieved simultaneous capture of two images using multiplexing with different light wavelengths.
Conclusions:
- This method obviates the need for costly de novo DNA synthesis for data storage.
- Establishes a novel approach for integrating biological systems with digital devices.
- Paves the way for future 'living digital cameras'.
