Research

Coding schemes for DNA based storage systems

We are interested in developing new coding schemes for DNA-based storage systems.
Our approach is based on an in-depth understanding of DNA synthesis and other molecular biology processes. In our most recent publication in Nature Biotechnology, We introduce the use of composite DNA letters to increase the logical density of DNA storage above the strict, single-molecule, theoretical limit of 2 bits per synthesis cycle. The idea behind composite DNA letters can be compared to the generation of different colors by mixing the 3 base colors: Red, Green, and Blue. Similarly, a composite DNA letter is a representation of a position in a sequence that constitutes a mixture of all four standard DNA nucleotides in a specific predetermined ratio.

Animation – Synthesis of composite DNA: