Comparison of state-of-the-art error-correction coding for sequence-based DNA data storage

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Information Science
• Genomics

Background:

• Numerous DNA data storage codecs exist, but their performance lacks systematic benchmarking.
• Error-correction is crucial for reliable DNA data storage.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically benchmark representative DNA data storage codecs.
• To establish the current state-of-the-art in codec performance.
• To assess feasibility of high-density DNA data storage.

Main Methods:

• In silico and in vitro experiments were used to compare six codecs.
• Codec performance was evaluated under isolated and realistic conditions.
• Experimental verification used synthesis by material deposition and electrochemical synthesis.

Main Results:

• Individual codecs tolerate up to 14% error rates and 65% sequence loss.
• Storage densities of 117 EB g^-1 are feasible under realistic conditions.
• Experimental storage densities reached 43 EB g^-1 (material deposition) and 13 EB g^-1 (electrochemical synthesis).

Conclusions:

• Error-correction coding for DNA data storage is mature.
• The study defines the state-of-the-art for DNA data storage codecs.
• Best practices for codec benchmarking in DNA data storage were established.