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DNA as a Means of Digital Information Storage The era in which man finds himself today is known by many as the “Information Age.” Indeed, today, the amount of information in existence is astounding, and its quantity only continues to increase exponentially. There is one major problem with this dramatic influx of information— where will we put it all? While it is true that computer technology is becoming more efficient, it is still very limited when compared to the sheer enormity of information being produced. Only so many resistors can be packed together before they begin to overheat at a critical rate. One way researchers have theorized getting around this issue is using the storage device that has been around since the beginning of creation— DNA. DNA can be used as a storage site for artificial information, and there are many ways to achieve this, each with their own drawbacks. DNA has been shown to have the ability to effectively store man-made information. It has been calculated that it will easily be able to surpass even the highest quality computers of today with ease concerning information capacity (Templeton 2016). The reason for this is that, instead of only being able to use 1s and 0s in traditional coding, one has access to A, C, T, and G for coding purposes (Templeton 2016). By developing a system in which one defines different base pair combinations, the total possible code combinations reach a nearly infinite number. Also, because of DNAs redundancy and longevity, information stored within it is viable for many years under favorable conditions (Templeton 2016). One other important development is that DNA can retain its information at temperature ranges of 800°C above and below zero (Ganegoda 2016). This, once again, shows just how powerful DNA’s storage is. One other thing that makes DNA storage effective is that it will not be buried away by other information as in the phenomenon of “data entropy” (Edmund M. Hart 2016). This has to do with the idea that data becomes less and less accessible the older it gets because it is literally buried by other information that is added later. The fact that DNA can store human-programmed information has been proven. There have been several methods developed for storing and reading information on a DNA strand. One method is by using certain combinations of base sequences to represent a bit (Nick Goldman 2013). This method can ensure that no repeats could accidentally show up in synthesis. Once the desired DNA sequences are completed, one can take these newly synthesized strands, read them via a sequencer, and convert them into a displayable computer file using the code algorithm. This process does required some purification because some strands accrued errors during synthesis. Another method known as the Microvenus Project had the code be C≈1, T≈2, A≈3, and G≈4 (Ganegoda 2016). This method also defined each base as either being one or zero depending upon whether it is being repeated in a sequence. This means that a sequence reading AAAAA would be equivalent to 10101, and a sequence of ATTCAAG would be 1101011 (Ganegoda 2016). Another method developed in the Genesis Project required converting a sentence from Genesis into Morse Code, which would then be translated into a DNA sequence (Ganegoda 2016). Hyphens and full stops were designated to T and C, and word space and letter space changes were designated to A and G. These are several techniques for using DNA to store human knowledge. Although DNA shows great storage characteristics, it and the proposed methods have flaws that make its widespread use impossible at present. One of the major problems it faces is its accessibility (Templeton, DNA as Storage for Mankind's Permanent Record 2016). This problem is due to DNA’s inherent lack of reactivity. Since it is chemically inert, it would take a longer than reasonable time to actually allow access of its stored information. The major issue with the method used in the Microvenus Project is the inherent uncertainty in translation of bases into computer coding. While, yes, the system is fairly straightforward, if one base happens to be read incorrectly, the entirety of the DNA sequence will be read incorrectly, resulting in a completely useless file (Ganegoda 2016). Another serious dilemma regarding DNA usage is the problem of mutations (Ganegoda 2016). While, yes, DNA is typically a nonreactive substance, there are many different external influences that would cause the DNA to become mutated, thus corrupting the information stored thereon. These mutations could result from contamination during the reading process because it will be open to the environment to allow for proper reading to take place. Another mutation issue can be caused simply by external radiation that could cause a thymine-thymine dimer mutation or a strand break mutation. Any one of these issues would cause a variety of issues in the reading process of the sequence, and it seems that one of the only ways to remedy these problems would be to isolate the DNA from possible external influences which would make its functionality as a storage device almost annulled. Another reason this is impractical now is the price (Somak Roy 2016). Overall, the cost to implement this form of information storage is much too high, but research is providing methods which are improving the expected price ranges. These are some of the current issues with using DNA as a means of information storage in a practical setting. Although current methods are flawed, the potential for DNA to be used as a new means of data storage is great. Countless bits of information have been lost in the annals of history due to inability to store them or to fragility of the means of storage. By moving forward with this research, humanity may be able to find a way to preserve its most valuable information in a way that will allow generations possibly hundreds of years away to be able to directly read what is written in the present, without any error or loss in between then and now. References Edmund M. Hart, et al. "Ten Simple Rules for Digital Data Storage." PLOS Computational Biology, 2016: 1-12. Ganegoda, Pavani Yashodha De Silva and Gamage Upeksha. "New Trends of Digital Data Storage in DNA." Hindawi, 2016: 1-16. Nick Goldman, et al. "Towards practical, high-capacity, low-maintenance infromation sotrage in synthesized DNA." Nature, 2013: 77-82. Somak Roy, MD, et al. "Next-Generation Sequencing Informatics: Challenges and Stratiegies for Implementation in a Clinical Environment." Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, 2016: 958-975. Templeton, Graham. "DNA as Storage for Mankind's Permanent Record." PC Magazine Digital Edition, 2016: 1-6. Templeton, Graham. "How DNA Data Storage Works." PC Magazine Digital Edition, 2016: 1-6.

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デジタル情報ストレージの手段としてのDNA今日の人間の時代は「情報化時代」として知られています。実際、今日存在する情報量は驚くべきものであり、その量は指数関数的に増加し続けています。この劇的な情報の流入には1つの大きな問題があります。

BACK INTO ENGLISH

DNA as a means of digital information storage Today's human age is known as the “information age”. In fact, the amount of information that exists today is amazing and it continues to grow exponentially. There is one major problem with this dramatic flow of information.

INTO JAPANESE

デジタル情報の保存手段としてのDNA今日の人間の時代は「情報時代」として知られています。実際、今日存在する情報量は驚くべきものであり、指数関数的に増え続けています。この劇的な情報の流れには、1つの大きな問題があります。

BACK INTO ENGLISH

DNA as a means of storing digital information The human age today is known as the “information age”. In fact, the amount of information that exists today is amazing and continues to grow exponentially. This dramatic flow of information has one major problem.

INTO JAPANESE

デジタル情報を保存する手段としてのDNA今日の人間の時代は「情報時代」として知られています。実際、今日存在する情報量は驚くべきものであり、指数関数的に増え続けています。この劇的な情報の流れには、1つの大きな問題があります。

BACK INTO ENGLISH

DNA as a means of storing digital information Today's human era is known as the “information era”. In fact, the amount of information that exists today is amazing and continues to grow exponentially. This dramatic flow of information has one major problem.

INTO JAPANESE

デジタル情報を保存する手段としてのDNA今日の人間の時代は「情報時代」として知られています。実際、今日存在する情報量は驚くべきものであり、指数関数的に増え続けています。この劇的な情報の流れには、1つの大きな問題があります。

BACK INTO ENGLISH

DNA as a means of storing digital information Today's human era is known as the “information era”. In fact, the amount of information that exists today is amazing and continues to grow exponentially. This dramatic flow of information has one major problem.