A primordial DNA store and compute engine.

Area of Science:

• Molecular Information Technology
• Biomolecular Engineering
• Data Storage

Background:

• Modern information systems require stable data storage, read/write capabilities, and programmable execution.
• Nascent molecular information technologies need proof-of-principle demonstrations of these core functions.
• DNA offers high information density and parallel processing potential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a DNA-based store-and-compute engine.
• To demonstrate stable data storage and retrieval using DNA on a novel substrate.
• To enable enzymatic computation and data manipulation with DNA.

Main Methods:

• Encoding image files into DNA and adsorbing them onto porous cellulose acetate particles ('dendricolloids').
• Assessing the stability and longevity of DNA on the dendricolloid substrate through lyophilization, rehydration, and accelerated aging studies.
• Utilizing synthetic promoters for non-destructive data access via RNA transcription and subsequent nanopore sequencing and enzymatic computation.

Main Results:

• The dendricolloid substrate provides high surface area and binding capacity for DNA, exceeding that of bare DNA.
• The DNA-based system demonstrated enhanced stability, withstanding over 170 lyophilization/rehydration cycles and projecting long half-lives (~6,000 years at 4°C).
• Data could be erased and replaced, and RNA transcripts were successfully sequenced and used for enzymatic computation (e.g., solving simplified chess and sudoku).

Conclusions:

• A feasible DNA-based store-and-compute engine has been established.
• The developed system leverages the high information density and parallel computation of nucleic acids.
• This work advances the development of molecular information technologies by realizing key primordial capabilities.