Liquid crystal–guided DNA information storage: Nondestructive recovery and long-term preservation
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: DNA digital storage features high storage density, low power consumption, and extended digital recovery time. However, conventional DNA preservation methods suffer from limitations like low DNA loading and complex recovery processes. In this study, we develop a liquid crystal-guided DNA information preservation platform (LDIPP) assembled from diverse lengths of DNA molecules ranging from 688 base pairs to 4.8 mega-base pairs and cationic surfactants. The thermotropic LDIPP provides encoded DNA information with high density loading, thermoplasticity, antimicrobial, and anti-enzymatic properties. Notably, DNA information was nondestructively recovered by manipulating the assembly structure using specific salt solutions and bioamplified through microbial fermentation. By mineralizing inorganic crystals on LDIPP, the preservation lifetime is expected to be increased by nearly an order of magnitude at -20°C. The LDIPP platform offers enhanced DNA data loading, nondestructive recovery, and customizable macroscopic features, making it a promising option for long-term information preservation in the rapidly advancing field of DNA storage.
Source: Science Advances
Authors: Yi Zhang, Yangyi Liu, Li Miao, Huaxia Zhu, Yubin Ren, Kelu Zhao, Sikang Wan, Yawei Liu, Yang Yang, Chunhua Lu, Fan Wang, Xingyu Jiang, Hongjie Zhang, Chunhai Fan, Kai Liu
Institutions: Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resources Utilization, Tsinghua University, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Renji Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Oncogene and Related Genes, Fuzhou University, Southern University of Science and Technology, Hubei Jiufengshan Laboratory
Language: English
Topic: DNA and Biological Computing
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,500
OpenAlex ID: W4414533459