DNA data storage in electrospun and melt-electrowritten composite nucleic acid-polymer fibers

Area of Science:

• Bio- and nanotechnology
• Materials science
• Information technology

Background:

• Biomolecules integration into computational systems is a key challenge.
• DNA offers high-density, long-term digital data storage potential.
• Developing stable DNA storage media for archiving and retrieval is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce composite nucleic acid-polymer fibers as a matrix for digital information-bearing oligonucleotides.
• To establish a workflow for stable DNA storage and retrieval within polymer fibers.
• To develop a platform for patterned fabrication of polymer-DNA composites.

Main Methods:

• Electrohydrodynamic processes were used to create electrospun nanofibers with embedded oligonucleotides in PEO, PVA, and PCL fibers.
• A workflow was developed for stable DNA storage and retrieval.
• Melt-electrowriting was employed to create polymer-DNA composite microfiber meshes.

Main Results:

• Stable storage of digital information-bearing oligonucleotides within composite nucleic acid-polymer fibers was achieved.
• On-demand retrieval of DNA messages was demonstrated through chemical treatment, PCR amplification, and DNA sequencing.
• A platform for melt-electrowriting of polymer-DNA composites enabled the production of programmable microfiber meshes.

Conclusions:

• Composite nucleic acid-polymer fibers offer a viable matrix for digital information storage in DNA.
• The developed workflow enables stable archiving and retrieval of oligonucleotide data.
• Melt-electrowriting provides a method for fabricating patterned polymer-DNA composites for advanced applications.