Friday, March 2nd 2007

Bacteria Could be the Next Form of Storage

A group of researchers at Keio University in Japan has developed a new technology which uses bacterial DNA as a medium for long-term data storage. Although it's not incredible in terms of data capacity, the technology works by creating artificial DNA carrying information, which is then inserted into the bacterial genome sequence. After this, the DNA will multiply, reproducing the data. This can therefore act as a long-term method of storage because the DNA will be passed down from generation to generation - possibly for thousands of years (current storage methods will only last a few centuries). So far the researchers have only managed to encode "e= mc2 1905!", but there is potential for the future.
Source: DailyTech
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12 Comments on Bacteria Could be the Next Form of Storage

#1
blobster21
well, to quote the good ol' Delta squad leader (republic commando anyone ?), let's just say we could use some bacta :)
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#2
magibeg
I wonder how it responds to temperature and the like though... hopefully pretty well. Its interesting that we can do that but i doubt it will become the norm at any point in time.
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#3
randomperson21
it'd be brilliant, provided the bacteria doesn't die. irradiation, high temps, low temps, those can all kill bacteria.
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#4
kwchang007
Jimmy 2004A group of researchers at Keio University in Japan has developed a new technology which uses bacterial DNA as a medium for long-term data storage. Although it’s not incredible in terms of data capacity, the technology works by creating artificial DNA carrying information, which is then inserted into the bacterial genome sequence. After this, the DNA will multiply, reproducing the data. This can therefore act as a long-term method of storage because the DNA will be passed down from generation to generation – possibly for thousands of years (current storage methods will only last a few centuries). So far the researchers have only managed to encode “e= mc2 1905!", but there is potential for the future.

Source: DailyTech
i hate to be the science geek in here, but we just learned about mutations. over that kind of time, im pretty sure that the DNA would mutate in some form.
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#5
tkpenalty
lol this sounds so sci-fi...

It mutates to become a mega computer and people infecting virus...
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#6
Scavar
3 billion years from now, humans will be dead, and some aliens come by and find bacteria with information on humans on it. And they are going to call us crazy bastards.
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#7
Fleekar
I dont see anything wrong with centuries..
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#8
Alec§taar
tkpenaltylol this sounds so sci-fi...
Yes, it does, doesn't it?... & I LIKE IT!

(LOL!)

Science Fiction, one of my fav. genre in literature, has been called "The literature of CHANGE!"... good stuff, & quite often, largely favored by nerds & geeks, etc., & world-wide.

(Goes w/ the territory I think... inspirational, maybe?)
tkpenaltyIt mutates to become a mega computer and people infecting virus...
Heh...

"PUTERS FROM PARAMECIUM!!!"

:)

APK
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#9
Ketxxx
Heedless Psychic
I'm not trusting my data to some bacteria that likely wants to jump out at me and give me the flu first chance it gets :wtf:
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#10
zekrahminator
McLovin
blobster21well, to quote the good ol' Delta squad leader (republic commando anyone ?), let's just say we could use some bacta :)
I like 07's (argh I can't remember his name...Sev?) quote's a lot more...I frequently catch myself saying "with extreme pleasure, sir" :p.
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#11
Mad-Matt
This brings up images of Nural gel packs in st:Voyager ;) all is well intill the packs them selvs get infected.
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#12
WarEagleAU
Bird of Prey
This is the coolest thing Ive heard all day. It makes sense as Bacteria can replicate like crazy. Think of the storage possibilities. However, I hope they make it where it cant harm you or anything.
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