Who’s Going to Use DNA to Store Their Data?
Emily Leproust, a leader in DNA synthesis, is turning genes into living hard drives
DNA synthesis — the writing of genes — is undergoing a revolution. Advances in genetics mean the market for DNA is booming. Academic and industry scientists alike are using synthetic genes to develop new medical treatments, foods, and industrial chemicals and to carry out basic research. Instead of making genes in a lab using a tedious and time-consuming process called cloning, companies that offer custom-made DNA on demand have sprung up to cater to scientists.
San Francisco-based Twist Bioscience is at the forefront of this DNA manufacturing boom. Founded in 2013, the company has developed a silicon chip that can print thousands of genes every day — far more than traditional gene synthesizing technology developed in the 1970s. In addition to synthesizing genes, Twist and others are working on a way to encode troves of data into tiny pieces of DNA, essentially turning genes into living hard drives.
“If there was an opportunity where you could put a copy of your DNA in a hard drive that would last for a thousand years for $50, that would really be the ultimate backup for your…
