SemiSynBio: Highly scalable random access DNA data storage with nanopore-based reading

存储为计算机文件的信息的快速积累，例如图像、视频等，需要大量的计算机和互联网数据存储。我们今天维护计算机数据的方式可能会花费大量的金钱和能源(特别是冷却)；此外，在其上写入文件的材料不太稳定-它们会随着时间的推移而变质，因此数据可能最终会在几十年内丢失。为了解决这个问题，将开发一种新的技术，以DNA为基础，在分子串中写入和读取数字数据，DNA也是构成遗传密码的分子。所有活着的细胞都依赖DNA分子来存储我们细胞和组织运行的指令，这些分子比磁带或纸张更稳定。如果成功，这种基于DNA的计算机数据存储将很容易保留世界上所有当前的电子数据。为了开发基于DNA的数据存储技术，提出了一种能够可靠地读写DNA片段中的数据的编码方案。一种方法将涉及使用组合分子条形码进行寻址和随机访问，以生成数据块。将采用写入DNA长片段的合成方案，其中将并行生成数百万个这样的片段。较长的段允许将大文件划分为较少的段，因此需要较短的索引和随机访问条形码。使用纳米孔DNA测序仪产生长序列将允许读取这些数据。在考虑了写入和读取平台特有的错误之后，将利用复杂的数学编码技术来稳健地重建这样的书面消息，其中特别强调使用纳米孔技术。编码技术是针对纳米孔测序中的较高错误率而定制的，这对于可伸缩测序方案来说是最有希望的。还将开发DNA存储模拟器，使研究人员能够使用DNA读写平台的预定义或定制错误模型以及各种地址和数据编码模型来模拟特定的应用需求。这将允许在从千兆字节到艾字节的数据尺度上模拟成本、健壮性和效率之间的权衡。在拟议的工作过程中，几批学生将接受遗传学、生物化学、电气工程和编码理论的现场培训。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The rapid accumulation of information stored as computer files, such as images, videos, etc. require a lot of computer and internet data storage. The ways we maintain computer data today may cost a lot of money and energy (especially cooling); also, the materials on which the files are written are not too stable - they get spoiled with time, so that data may be eventually lost as a matter of few decades. To solve this issue, a new technology of writing and reading digital data in the molecular strings will be developed, based on DNA, the molecules from which the genetic code is also made. All living cells rely on DNA molecules for storing the instructions to run our cells and tissues, and these molecules are more stable than magnetic tape or paper. If successful, this DNA-based storage of computer data would readily retain all of the world`s current electronic data.To develop a DNA-based data storage technology, a coding scheme that can reliably write and read back data in segments of DNA is proposed. One approach will involve the use of combinatorial molecular barcodes for addressing and random access, to generate the data blocks as well. Synthesis schemes to write long segments of DNA will be employed, where millions of such segment will be generated in parallel. Longer segments allow one to divide large files into fewer segments and thus require shorter index and random access barcodes. The use of nanopore DNA sequencers that generate long sequences will permit reading this data. Sophisticated mathematical coding techniques will be utilized to robustly reconstruct such a written message after accounting for errors specific to the write and read platforms, with a special emphasis on using nanopore technology. The coding techniques are tailored to the higher error rates in nanopore sequencing, which is the most promising for a scalable sequencing scheme. A DNA storage simulator will also be developed, that will allow researchers to model specific application needs, using predefined or custom error models for DNA write and read platforms and a variety of coding models for addresses and data. This will allow the trade-offs between cost, robustness and efficiency to be simulated at data scales from Gigabytes to Exabytes. Several cohorts of students will be trained in the field on the interface of genetics, biochemistry, electrical engineering and coding theory in the course of the proposed work.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.