DROPSCRIBE · Rewriting the rules of DNA data storage with partitioning of structured media

DNA has been proposed as an alternative medium for digital data storage and a way to meet the increasing demands for data storage capacity thanks to its information density and stability. However current solutions are based primarily on a paradigm in which custom synthesized DNA oligonucleotides must be manufactured each time one wishes to store data. We propose an alternative approach to data storage wherein data is written to prestructured ""empty"" DNA media, circumventing the need for on-demand DNA synthesis. The approach, named DROPSCRIBE, is based on an automated self-assembly process and relies only on generic bulk-synthesized DNA. By decoupling data storage from synthesis, we estimate reduced economic and time costs of the writing process. The process is interoperable with existing data storage paradigms, encoding standards, and downstream modules in the data storage ecosystem. And we see our approach as one of multiple complementary approaches toward lowering the entry barriers to DNA data storage broadly.""