DNA as the storage medium of the future

The Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS has started a new research project on a novel microchip platform for efficient and digitally controllable biosynthesis. According to a press release, the aim is to create the basis for the mass data storage of the future with extremely high storage density.

The researchers want to utilise the fact that DNA can also be used to store binary data. However, writing DNA on microchips is still a major challenge and previous synthesis approaches are rather imprecise and inefficient. As a first step, the researchers therefore want to significantly improve DNA synthesis using a microchip platform.

Results by the end of 2023

As part of the project, Fraunhofer IPMS will primarily focus on developing the thermal level for the microchip platform. The heating function for setting the temperature for biological synthesis is achieved by structures in the surface micromechanics. The Fraunhofer IZI-BB in Potsdam will then realise the synthesis process using the microchip platform. Fraunhofer ITEM is working on the corresponding coding processes in biological components.

The first results of the research project are to be presented to the public for the first time at the end of 2023.

Source: Fraunhofer IPMS In: www.elektrotechnik.vogel.de from 14 November 2022