Toward Portable DNA Data Storage: A Paper-Based System for Rewritable and Random Access

DNA offers immense archival potential due to its high density and longevity. However, practical use faces challenges, including biochemical constraints limiting random or repetitive data access and dependence on bulky lab equipment, which hinders portability. This work proposes a low-cost, high-density, and portable cellulose paper platform for DNA data storage. DNA pools containing distinct files were immobilized on two cellulose paper sheets for array preservation, with physical addresses assigned to enable random data access. Subsequently, through a constant-temperature (room temperature) amplification reaction, in situ random access to the data was achieved, eliminating reliance on thermocyclers. Meanwhile, the original DNA pool was recovered by using the magnetic bead method, enabling three repeated data writes and reads on the surface of cellulose paper. This approach harnesses cellulose paper for practical and portable DNA data archiving, presenting a promising solution to the problem of massive data storage.