Improved DNA data storage through automated optimization of synthetic polymers

大数据有望彻底改变人类文明和社会的许多方面。然而，随着大数据的出现，现有的光和磁存储设备面临着巨大的挑战，这些设备的保质期和存储密度有限。因此，研究人员已经开始探索使用具有完全不同密度和耐用性特征的新存储介质。一种迅速引起关注的存储介质是合成DNA（例如，Science, 2017, 355:6328）。高通量寡核苷酸合成和DNA测序的出现使得基于DNA的数据存储从概念验证研究迅速发展到可以与现有存储介质相媲美的系统。然而，改进这项技术仍然面临许多挑战，其中之一是压实和稳定性。为了解决这个问题，我们希望开发一种方法来改善DNA数据存储，使用受控聚合化学来开发合成聚合物颗粒作为DNA的支架。通过使用ROAR内部可用的自动化仪器，这一目标将迅速加快。一旦开发出来，这些合成颗粒应该允许人们通过物理关联和压实来显著提高DNA数据的存储密度和稳定性。

Big data promises to revolutionize so many aspects of human civilization and society. However, with big data comes big challenges for current optical and magnetic storage devices, which have limited shelf lives and storage densities. Thus, researchers have started to explore the use of new storage media that has radically different density and durability characteristics. One such storage media that is rapidly gaining attention is synthetic DNA (e.g. Science, 2017, 355:6328). The advent of high-throughput oligonucleotide synthesis and DNA sequencing has allowed DNA-based data storage to rapidly progress from proof-of concept studies toward systems that can rival established storage media. However, there are still many challenges to improve this technology, one of which being compaction and stability. To address this we wish to develop an approach to improve DNA data storage using controlled polymerization chemistry to develop synthetic polymer particles as a scaffold for DNA. Such an aim will be rapidly accelerated through the use of automated instrumentation available within ROAR. Once developed, these synthetic particles should allow one to significantly improve the storage density and stability of DNA data, through physical association and compaction.