Nucleic Acid Data Encoding Using Bioblocks for Low-Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital data storage methods are energy-intensive, bulky, and have a high carbon footprint, with existing nucleic acid-based solutions being time-consuming and costly.
Innovation Solution
A nucleic acid-based data storage method that converts digital sequences into bioblocks using distinct nucleotides, assembling them into components to encode and store data, utilizing natural and non-natural nucleotides, and employing techniques like PCR and restriction enzymes for assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If current digital data storage methods are used, then data can be stored, but energy consumption is high and carbon footprint is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical/electronic data storage systems with a biological system using nucleic acids (DNA/RNA) as the storage medium. Digital data is encoded into nucleic acid sequences through biochemical processes, and storage is achieved through biological replication and assembly mechanisms rather than electronic components, fundamentally substituting the storage paradigm to reduce energy consumption and environmental impact.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If optical media, magnetic tapes, hard drives or flash memory are used, then data storage is achieved, but durability does not exceed ten years on average
Solution Approach 1:
The nucleic acid-based storage system utilizes the inherent self-replicating capability of biological molecules. The encoded data in nucleic acids can be copied and maintained through natural biochemical processes without requiring external energy input for preservation, enabling long-term durability without the continuous energy consumption needed by electronic storage systems.
3Quantity of substance
If data centers are expanded to store more data, then storage capacity increases, but the amount of energy consumed increases correspondingly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the physical and chemical parameters of the storage medium from electronic/magnetic materials to nucleic acid biomolecules. This parameter change enables data storage with dramatically reduced energy requirements, as nucleic acids can be stored at ambient conditions without the controlled temperature and humidity environments required by traditional data centers.
4Reliability
If chemically produced DNA bricks are used to encode information, then data can be stored on nucleic acids, but the processes are time consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary biochemical encoding system that bridges digital data and nucleic acid storage. By using standardized nucleotide sequences as intermediaries to represent digital information, the system enables more efficient synthesis and assembly processes compared to direct chemical production of custom DNA bricks, thereby improving encoding speed and reducing costs.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient, biocompatible, and durable data storage that can sustain large data volumes, reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
step (e) comprises one or several assembling steps using overlap-extension polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
Implementation Method 2
the region surrounding each bioblock comprises a site for a restriction enzyme, and step (d) comprises a step of digesting each of the x data storage nucleic acid molecules with one or two restriction enzymes
Data Source
AI summary
A nucleic acid-based data storage method for storing information, and to a data storage nucleic acid molecule.