Thanks BenLurkin. Sounds like ST:TNG The Chase episode.
Posted on 10/06/2021 9:27:12 AM PDT by BenLurkin
Using DNA as a high-density data storage medium holds the potential to forge breakthroughs in biosensing and biorecording technology and next-generation digital storage, but researchers haven't been able to overcome inefficiencies that would allow the technology to scale.
Now, researchers at Northwestern University propose a new method for recording information to DNA that takes minutes, rather than hours or days, to complete. The team used a novel enzymatic system to synthesize DNA that records rapidly changing environmental signals directly into DNA sequences, a method the paper's senior author said could change the way scientists study and record neurons inside the brain.
As the DNA polymerase continues to add bases, data is recorded into the genetic code on a scale of minutes as changes in the environment impact the composition of the DNA it synthesizes. The environmental changes, such as changes in the concentration of metals, are recorded by the polymerase, acting as a "molecular ticker tape" and indicating to scientists the time of an environmental change. Using biosensors to record changes into DNA represents a major step in proving TURTLES' viability for use inside cells, and could give researchers the ability to use recorded DNA to learn about how neurons communicate with each other.
With more potential for scalability and accuracy, TURTLES could offer the basis for tools that catapult brain research forward. According to Alec Callisto, also a co-first author and graduate student in the Tyo lab, researchers can only study a tiny fraction of a brain's neurons with today's technology, and even then, there are limits on what they know they do. By placing recorders inside all the cells in the brain, scientists could map responses to stimuli with single-cell resolution across many (million) neurons.
(Excerpt) Read more at phys.org ...
In the year 2525 - ping.
It’s not as bad as RNA but DNA is quite fragile as a storage medium. That’s one reason we have birth defects and cancer.
They never talk about the side effects do they. How do they turn it off? How are they proposing to clean the generated DNA junk out of the cells? How do they localize the distribution of the DNA recorders.
Today’s genetic scientists are nothing but hammer-swinging clowns rioting in the cathedral of life and they have become dangerous.
#Pureblood
This is not a proof-of-concept. It is being developed and marketed by Twist Biosciences (TWST). Their stock is still very speculative but they are the leading company in this area and the price has pulled back quite a bit recently.
What could go wrong?
Time-sensitive Untemplated Recording using Tdt for Local Environmental Signals, or TURTLES
At least the apocalypse has cute names.
Since it’s DNA it’s subject to mutation, and being very small, one might say stealthy...
As in mutant ninja TURTLES
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