Short Stuff: DNA Data Storage | STUFF YOU SHOULD KNOW

Summary

In the podcast episode titled Short Stuff: DNA Data Storage from Stuff You Should Know, the hosts explore the possibility of using DNA as an alternative means of data storage in the near future. The discussion begins with a look at current data storage practices, which primarily involve the utilization of magnetic tapes. These tapes have become the preferred method of storage due to their durability, affordability, and dependability, with the ability to hold up to 15 petabytes of data. Despite their widespread use, concerns have arisen regarding the long-term viability of magnetic tapes and the associated costs of maintaining cold storage facilities for them.

As a potential solution to this problem, the hosts introduce the idea of utilizing DNA for data storage. DNA has a remarkable capacity for holding information, with a single strand roughly the size of a poppy seed being able to store the entire Library of Congress. It is projected that by 2025, humans will produce a staggering 33 zettabytes of data, which could be accommodated within a piece of DNA the size of a ping-pong ball. Unlike current storage methods, DNA can last for a long time and does not require cold storage facilities, making it an attractive and sustainable alternative to magnetic tapes.

The conversation then shifts to the process of converting digital data into DNA. DNA is composed of four nucleotides – adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine – which can be assigned binary combinations, enabling the representation of digital data (stored in binary format) using the nucleotides. This involves creating a physical strand of DNA whose sequence corresponds with the binary code of the digital data in question.

However, the hosts acknowledge that there are significant limitations to DNA data storage at present. The existing technology to store data using DNA is prohibitively expensive, costing trillions of dollars per petabyte of information. Moreover, transferring data from magnetic tapes to DNA is currently a slow process, taking decades to complete for just one petabyte of data.

In conclusion, while the concept of DNA data storage is undoubtedly intriguing and holds potential for the future, it remains an expensive and time-consuming process at present. Nonetheless, as technological advancements continue to be made, it is not unreasonable to consider that DNA data storage could become a more viable and affordable option in the years to come.