Journal

Posted by: Nick Vitale

06 September 2012

Ready To Store Your Files On DNA?

Sometime (in the not so near future) we may find that the best size-to-storage ratio comes from saving data on DNA. DNA is very small, light and compact which makes it an excellent option for storing vast amounts of data. If you’re not all that familiar with DNA this video might help you understand it a bit better.

  • A single gram of DNA could store 700 terabytes or the data on 14,500 50GB Blu-ray discs
  • DNA can last for thousands and thousands of years where current devices wouldn’t last 100 years
  • The amount of DNA necessary could fit on the tip of your finger
  • 4 grams of DNA could store all the data created by humankind over the course of one year
  • The data created in the lifetime of one person could fit in a fingernail sized object using DNA

The sooner we have this the better. This is the type of thinking that will change the world. There are a many problems that need to be solved before this could happen but in theory it’s quite brilliant. The idea of having every song, movie, TV show and webpage in your pocket at any given time is just the thing techno-geeks dream on.

Now that we have the ideal storage format we need to determine the ideal way to both access that data as well as engage with it. Biotechnology is a real thing and part of the future and as we unlock the secrets of life everything else will come into place. Unfortunately, it’s going to be a long wait.

While you’re waiting, if you’re interested doing something else ground-breaking or digitally awesome email us directly at [email protected] or find us on Twitter @studioskylab.

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