Team:SJTU-BioX-Shanghai/Human Practices/hp-market
Demand Side
We compared the advantages and disadvantages of several storage methods based on the survey.
DNA storage uses a single nucleotide as a storage unit. The information is encoded into the form of nucleotide sequence by a specific algorithm, and then stored in a synthetic oligo, and can be sequenced and decoded when the information is read. At present, DNA storage has two development directions: hard storage and soft storage. Hard storage freezes the DNA strand in a test tube, while soft storage introduces the synthetic DNA fragment into cells as a plasmid or directly into the genome. As the cells is passed, the stored information is also transmitted.
Our project is similar to the soft storage. The difference is that we use the cell as the storage unit to record the 0-1 signal by cell luminescence. Our advantage is that it saves the cost and time of DNA synthesis and sequencing, and enables timely recording and reading of information under light control conditions.
Although bio-storage technology is now difficult to compete with disk storage, it still has potential for development. Biological storage may have a strong application prospect, especially in specific scenarios such as monitoring human intestinal conditions or recording data on artificial organs.
Our project focus on a real-time recording and reading system without synthesis and sequencing. Therefore, it could significantly reduce the huge cost of DNA synthesis and sequencing, which can improve the application capabilities of bio-storage.
Another point attractive is that our project can be seen as a prototype of DNA biosynthesis. If we can achieve multiple consecutive and selective insertions of PAM sequences in the system, we can achieve DNA biosynthesis in small fragments. Providing the fact that the cost of DNA chemical synthesis is the main factor restricting the development of DNA storage, based on this DNA biosynthesis method, the DNA storage method using spacer sequences instead of single nucleotide as a information unit may be a development direction of DNA storage in the future.
Supply Side
On July 22, we conducted a visit and investigation to Suzhou Hongxun Biotechnology Company. This company specializes in the research and production of related technologies in the field of synthetic biology.It has strong R&D strength in DNA storage, and has previously worked with other iGEM teams in China.
The Technical Director gave us a wonderful lecture on DNA storage.The director introduced the research and development status, technical bottleneck and application prospect of DNA storage to us.In the lecture, we learned that the cost of DNA synthesis is the main factor restricting the development of DNA storage. The use of multiple nucleotides stored in test tubes to store information (hard storage) and the integration of storage information into cell plasmids or genomes for carrying on the generation (soft storage) are the two main development directions of DNA storage. We also discuss the algorithm design of information coding and reading in biological storage.
In addition, we also introduce the design of CRISPR storage project, and have a lively exchange and discussion with the person in charge of the company on the related experimental technical problems and development prospects.
Knowing that the main bottleneck lies in the cost of DNA synthesis and sequencing, our project focus on a real-time recording and reading system without synthesis and sequencing.
After that, accompanied by the company's marketing manager and Technical Director, we visited the R & D institution and production line of the enterprise, learning the actual situation of biotechnology market transformation in detail.
SJTU-BioX-Shanghai
Contact us: sjtuigem@gmail.com
Bio-X Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dongchuan Rd. 800