The Future Is Biological! Future Data Storage Solutions Workshop

Are DNA storage technologies a sustainable, efficient, and useful future for archive and data management?

As data production increases exponentially, traditional storage methods—expensive, energy- intensive, and inefficient—are proving unsustainable. The use of DNA as a storage medium has emerged as a promising solution to these challenges. Over the past decade, the capabilities of DNA-based storage have evolved rapidly, offering potential for vast data storage in highly sustainable ways. The potential for biomolecular technologies to revolutionize data practice is immense. However DNA storage solutions for the growing data crisis are currently being developed in fragmented, haphazard ways.

Industry estimations of the DNA data storage market suggest a huge increase in value to c. $1.5 billion by 2027 associated with a 30-35% increase in demand for storage capacity to 2030. Work in this field is expanding rapidly in France and the USA, with so far little engagement in the UK.

We are looking to build capacity in this area at Manchester through considering the impact, potential, scope and limitations of this emerging technology.

·How might new storage solutions change our understanding of data and of archiving? How might they enhance sustainable progress or interact with other storage frameworks?

· How might synthetic DNA storage solutions be enhanced through interdisciplinary collaboration?

· What issues have not been considered in the rush to develop this technology?

If you are interested in presenting your work or ideas on DNA data storage, please get in touch to join the workshop. We’re keen to hear from anyone interested in contributing to this area.

Please contact Izzy Hall: izzyhall@manchester.ac.uk

Please note: This is an internal University of Manchester event, open to staff, postgraduate researchers (PGRs) and early career researchers (ECRs) only.

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