EIC Pathfinder 101115134 - DiDAX

A DNA-based path towards a more resilient future for data

DNA-based archival data, an advanced technique for preserving digital information, holds the potential to revolutionise our approach to retaining data over extended periods. The approach involves encoding digital data directly into DNA molecules. Other applications, in labelling, authentication, and in-product information storage, also emerge. However, the widespread adoption of DNA archival storage has been hindered by the substantial costs associated with DNA synthesis. In this context, the EU-funded DiDAX project aims to develop groundbreaking algorithms for encoding and decoding methods, inventive synthesis methods, and state-of-the-art embedding technologies. Through substantial cost reduction, DiDAX clears a path for the creation of economical DNA data storage systems and applications, carrying profound implications for various fields.


Objective
Modern information-based society largely relies on trusted information storage in a large variety of setups, ranging from long-term digital archiving to embedding information into products. DNA is a promising future storage medium for such diverse applications as it offers sustainable and robust long-term information storage at extraordinary information density. DNA will also never become obsolete. However, long-term DNA archival storage is still very expensive. In DiDAX, we will develop new approaches to DNA storage based on novel encoding and decoding algorithms, new reduced cost synthesis approaches and new embedding technologies. Specifically, we will provide (i) synthesis, encoding and decoding methods for efficient reduced cost archiving using standard and composite DNA, (ii) in-product information storage technologies, including encapsulation and embedding, as well as tailored coding and reconstruction approaches, (iii) methods for efficient labeling and cryptographic authentication, and (iv) efficient and new approaches to photolithography-based synthesis and composite synthesis of DNA, to enable reduced-cost DNA storage. We will demonstrate end-to-end PoC systems for reduced-cost archival storage, in-product information storage as well as DNA-based authentication protocols. The DiDAX project will expand the long-term applicability of archival DNA-based data storage through significant improvements in cost. Furthermore, DiDAX will broaden the range of DNA-based information technologies and lead to applications realizable in the short term by developing in-product information storage solutions and DNA-based authentication protocols. DiDAX methodology is highly interdisciplinary building on expertise in computer science, engineering, chemistry, material science, and in building complete DNA based storage systems. DiDAX impact spans applications and technology domains and will be disseminated and exploited to benefit European society and industry.

European Commission

EIC Pathfinderchallenge 2022