Unlocking the Future of Healthcare Data Management: The Promise of DNA Data
As the demand for continuous data storage continues to grow, our own genetic material may offer a vital solution to digital healthcare's biggest barrier.
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Written by Tony Cho, PharmD 2025
February 25, 2024
Healthcare organizations today are grappling with a monumental challenge: the escalating volume of data they must store and manage. This surge stems from various factors like the widespread adoption of electronic health records (EHRs), the proliferation of medical devices, and the expansion of genomic and biomedical research. While this data is indispensable for delivering top-tier patient care, it also represents a valuable asset— pivotal for enhancing population health, devising novel treatments, and curbing expenses.
Despite the burgeoning need, conventional data storage technologies are faltering in keeping stride with the burgeoning healthcare data landscape. Legacy methods such as hard drives and tape libraries are proving increasingly costly and inefficient. Moreover, they are susceptible to data loss and corruption, raising concerns about data integrity and security.
Amidst these challenges, DNA data storage emerges as a beacon of hope. DNA, a marvelously intricate molecule, possesses the remarkable ability to house vast troves of information within its minuscule confines. It boasts unparalleled durability, capable of withstanding the passage of millennia. The mechanism of DNA data storage involves encoding digital data into the sequence of DNA nucleotides. This data can then be preserved in diverse mediums, ranging from synthetic DNA molecules to DNA nanostructures, and even within living cells. When necessitated, the stored data can be decoded back into its digital form utilizing a myriad of techniques.
Compared to traditional storage methods, DNA data storage offers unique advantages. Firstly, its storage density is unparalleled. A mere gram of DNA can harbor up to 215 petabytes of data, akin to the storage capacity of approximately 300 million DVDs.1 Secondly, DNA's durability triumphs that of traditional media, as it remains impervious to extreme conditions when stored properly. Thirdly, DNA data storage is exceedingly energy-efficient, demanding significantly lesser energy for reading and writing data in comparison to traditional storage media.2
In the realm of healthcare, the potential applications of DNA data storage are vast and transformative. It can revolutionize the storage of EHRs, enabling the consolidation of millions of patient records in a single repository for seamless access by healthcare providers worldwide. Furthermore, it holds promise in storing genomic data vital for unraveling the mysteries of rare diseases and genetic disorders, thus paving the way for innovative treatments and enhanced patient care. Additionally, DNA data storage can revolutionize the archiving of medical images, streamlining their sharing among healthcare professionals and facilitating longitudinal tracking of patient health. Moreover, it could prove invaluable for storing voluminous research data, fueling the development of breakthrough drugs and therapies while advancing our comprehension of human health and maladies.3
While DNA data storage is still in its nascent stages, its potential to reshape healthcare data management is undeniable. By offering a denser, more durable, and energy-efficient storage solution, DNA data storage holds the key to helping healthcare organizations surmount the challenges posed by the exponential data deluge, thereby elevating the standard of patient care. Moreover, it promises to bolster data security, unlock novel data analytics applications, and drive down data storage costs, thereby catalyzing a paradigm shift in healthcare data management practices.4
References:
1. Solugen Team. DNA: Data storage that never goes out of style. Solugen. September 24, 2021. https://solugen.com/dna-data-storage-that-never-goes-out-of-style.
2. DNA data storage. Wyss Institute. https://wyss.harvard.edu/technology/dna-data-storage/.
3. Buko T, Tuczko N, Ishikawa T. DNA Data Storage. BioTech (Basel). 2023 Jun 1;12(2):44. doi: 10.3390/biotech12020044. PMID: 37366792; PMCID: PMC10296570.
4. Dong Y, Sun F, Ping Z, Ouyang Q, Qian L. DNA storage: research landscape and future prospects. Natl Sci Rev. 2020 Jun;7(6):1092-1107. doi: 10.1093/nsr/nwaa007. Epub 2020 Jan 21. PMID: 34692128; PMCID: PMC8288837.
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