DNA Molecular Storage System: Transferring Digitally Encoded Information through Bacterial Nanonetworks

Since the birth of computer and networks, fueled by pervasive computing, Internet of Things and ubiquitous connectivity, the amount of data stored and transmitted has exponentially grown through the years. Due to this demand, new storage solutions are needed. One promising media is the DNA as it provides numerous advantages, which includes the ability to store dense information while achieving long-term reliability. However, the question as to how the data can be retrieved from a DNA-based archive, still remains. In this paper, we aim to address this question by proposing a new storage solution that relies on bacterial nanonetworks properties. Our solution allows digitally-encoded DNA to be stored into motility-restricted bacteria, which compose an archival architecture of clusters, and to be later retrieved by engineered motile bacteria, whenever reading operations are needed. We conducted extensive simulations, in order to determine the reliability of data retrieval from motility-restricted storage clusters, placed spatially at different locations. Aiming to assess the feasibility of our solution, we have also conducted wet lab experiments that show how bacteria nanonetworks can effectively retrieve a simple message, such as Hello World, by conjugation with motility-restricted bacteria, and finally mobilize towards a target point for delivery.

Automated summary

This paper presents a new storage solution that utilizes bacterial nanonetwork properties to store digitally-encoded DNA into motility-restricted bacteria, allowing for data retrieval by engineered motile bacteria. Extensive simulations and wet lab experiments show the feasibility of using bacteria nanonetworks to retrieve data from DNA-based archives.