Researchers unveil DNA-based method for ultra-dense data storage
Scientists at the University of Washington have developed a novel technique to encode digital data into synthetic DNA, potentially revolutionizing long-term information storage. The method allows for storing up to one petabyte of data in a single gram of DNA. This breakthrough addresses the growing demand for sustainable data archiving solutions.
On October 2, 2025, a team led by Professor Luis Ceze at the University of Washington announced a significant advancement in data storage technology. Published in the journal Nature Biotechnology, the research demonstrates a process for writing and reading digital files using synthetic DNA strands, achieving densities far beyond current electronic storage media.
The technique involves converting binary data into sequences of DNA bases—adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and thymine (T)—and synthesizing these into physical DNA molecules. To retrieve the data, enzymes and sequencing machines decode the strands back into usable files. According to the study, this approach enables storage of 215 petabytes per gram of DNA, with error rates below 1 in 1,000 bases after correction algorithms are applied.
"DNA is incredibly stable and compact, making it ideal for archival purposes," Ceze stated in a university press release. "Unlike hard drives that degrade over time and consume vast amounts of energy in data centers, DNA can last thousands of years in cool, dry conditions without power."
Background context reveals that data storage demands are exploding, with global data creation projected to reach 181 zettabytes by 2025, per IDC estimates. Traditional solutions like magnetic tapes and optical discs struggle with scalability and longevity. Prior DNA storage experiments, dating back to 2012 when Harvard researchers encoded a book into DNA, faced high costs and slow speeds. The Washington team's innovation reduces synthesis costs to about $2,000 per megabyte and reading to $100 per megabyte, though still not competitive for everyday use.
The process begins with error-correcting codes to handle DNA's inherent synthesis errors, followed by pooling multiple DNA strands for parallel access. Testing involved storing and retrieving 20 MB of files, including images and text, with 100% fidelity. Implications include applications in preserving cultural heritage, scientific datasets, and even space exploration data, where weight and durability are critical.
While promising, challenges remain, such as scaling production and integrating with existing infrastructure. The researchers plan further work on automation to bring costs down. This development underscores DNA's potential as a bio-inspired solution to the digital age's storage crisis, offering a glimpse into hybrid biological-computational futures.