Imagine using the same biological code that builds a whale to store your digital files. Instead of silicon chips, this system uses DNA strands as a hard drive that can also perform calculations. It works like a tiny, programmable library where data is written onto long molecular scaffolds and can be read or erased without needing a computer processor.
Global data generation is outstripping storage capacity. Current digital storage is energy-intensive and degrades over time, creating a need for sustainable, high-density, long-term archives.
A 10-bit molecular computing prototype and an abstract kinetics model. A patent for thermodynamically favoured molecular computations has also been filed.
If you are a cloud provider dealing with the gap between data generation and global storage capacity — this project developed a DNA storage platform that increases data integrity and reliability over time. It offers a scalable and environmentally sustainable way to store massive archives.
If you are a biotech firm dealing with complex molecular data processing — this project developed a robust molecular computing architecture. It allows for computing directly on DNA data, reducing the need to convert biological information into digital formats.
If you are a security firm dealing with long-term data preservation — this project developed a system using DNA nanostructures for thermodynamic stability. This ensures information remains intact for millennia, far exceeding the lifespan of traditional magnetic media.
Based on available project data, specific pricing or cost-per-bit metrics are not provided; the project is currently in the research and prototype phase.
The project aims to scale from a 10-bit prototype to hundreds of bits, eventually using 2D DNA origami to achieve a massively parallel distributed system with millions of structures in one test tube.
A patent has been filed by Stérin, Eshra, and Woods titled 'Thermodynamically Favoured Molecular Computations'.
The project period runs from 2023-10-01 to 2028-09-30, indicating it is in the early stages of development.
Based on available project data, the system uses a programmable DNA storage and computing platform that requires high-throughput techniques for data readout.
The consortium is highly industry-weighted with a 67% industry ratio, consisting of 2 SMEs and 1 University across Ireland, Germany, and France. This suggests a strong intent to move the research toward commercial application rather than keeping it purely academic.
Prof Damien Woods, National University of Ireland Maynooth
Contact us to explore licensing opportunities for the filed DNA computing patent.
