Molecular Data Storage Promises Massive Capacity
DNA-based systems could archive entire internet in room-sized facility.
Molecular data storage technology is advancing toward commercial viability, potentially revolutionizing long-term data archiving. DNA molecules can encode information at densities millions of times greater than conventional storage media.
Researchers have successfully stored and retrieved gigabytes of data from synthetic DNA. The biological medium remains stable for centuries without power or maintenance, ideal for archives.
Reading and writing data remains slow and expensive, limiting applications to cold storage of rarely-accessed information. Ongoing research is accelerating these processes.
The technology could address the exponential growth of data requiring long-term preservation. Libraries, government archives, and research institutions need storage solutions that endure decades or centuries.
Environmental benefits include dramatically reduced energy consumption compared to maintaining server farms. DNA storage could make massive archives sustainable and cost-effective.
