R&D: Novel Modalities in DNA Storage

Trends in Biotechnology has published an article written by Cheng Kai Lim, NUS Graduate School of Integrative Sciences and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077, Singapore, and NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI), Centre for Life Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456, Singapore, Saurabh Nirantar, Illumina Inc, Singapore 757716, Singapore, Wen Shan Yew, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore, and NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI), Centre for Life Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456, Singapore, and Chueh Loo Poh, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117583, Singapore, and NUS Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation (SynCTI), Centre for Life Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117456, Singapore.

Abstract: “The field of storing information in DNA has expanded exponentially. Most common modalities involve encoding information from bits into synthesized nucleotides, storage in liquid or dry media, and decoding via sequencing. However, limitations to this paradigm include the cost of DNA synthesis and sequencing, along with low throughput. Further unresolved questions include the appropriate media of storage and the scalability of such approaches for commercial viability. In this review, we examine various storage modalities involving the use of DNA from a systems-level perspective. We compare novel methods that draw inspiration from molecular biology techniques that have been devised to overcome the difficulties posed by standard workflows and conceptualize potential applications that can arise from these advances.“