DNA data storage on a 'biological camera'

Researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have pioneered a so-called ‘biological camera’ that harnesses living cells and their inherent biological mechanisms to encode and store data in DNA, bypassing the constraints of current DNA storage methods. Described in the journal Nature Communications, the work creates a new model for information storage reminiscent of a digital camera, representing a significant breakthrough in encoding and storing images directly within DNA.

It is only recently that the idea of using DNA to store other types of information, such as images and videos, has garnered attention as a potential alternative to conventional storage devices. This is due to DNA’s exceptional capacity, stability and relevance as a medium for information storage.

“We are facing an impending data overload,” said Associate Professor Poh Chueh Loo, principal investigator on the new study. “DNA, the key biomaterial of every living thing on Earth, stores genetic information that encodes for an array of proteins responsible for various life functions. To put it into perspective, a single gram of DNA can hold over 215,000 TB of data — equivalent to storing 45 million DVDs combined.”

“DNA is also easy to manipulate with current molecular biology tools, can be stored in various forms at room temperature, and is so durable it can last centuries,” added Lim Cheng Kai, a graduate student working with Poh.

Despite its immense potential, current research in DNA storage focuses on synthesising DNA strands outside the cells. This process is expensive and relies on complex instruments, which are also prone to errors.

To overcome this bottleneck, Poh and his team turned to live cells, which contain an abundance of DNA that can act as a ‘data bank’, circumventing the need to synthesise the genetic material externally. Through ingenuity and clever engineering, the team developed ‘BacCam’ — a novel system that merges various biological and digital techniques to emulate a digital camera’s functions using biological components.

“Imagine the DNA within a cell as an undeveloped photographic film,” Poh said. “Using optogenetics — a technique that controls the activity of cells with light akin to the shutter mechanism of a camera — we managed to capture ‘images’ by imprinting light signals onto the DNA ‘film’.”

Next, using barcoding techniques akin to photo labelling, the researchers marked the captured images for unique identification. Machine-learning algorithms were employed to organise, sort and reconstruct the stored images. These constitute the ‘biological camera’, mirroring a digital camera’s data capture, storage and retrieval processes.

The study showcased the camera’s ability to capture and store multiple images simultaneously using different light colours. More crucially, compared to earlier methods of DNA data storage, the team’s system is easily reproducible and scalable.

“Our method represents a major milestone in integrating biological systems with digital devices,” Poh said. “By harnessing the power of DNA and optogenetic circuits, we have created the first ‘living digital camera’, which offers a cost-effective and efficient approach to DNA data storage.

“Our work not only explores further applications of DNA data storage but also re-engineers existing data-capture technologies into a biological framework. We hope this will lay the groundwork for continued innovation in recording and storing information.”

Image caption: Projected patterns are stored within the BacCam process. Images are projected on different plates and barcoded individually with index sequences corresponding to each image. The resulting products are pooled together into a single tube.