MIT Researchers Develop Amber-Like Polymer for DNA Storage

Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) produced a novel method to store DNA in a new type of polymer. Their creation can fit the entire human genome and may store digital information on DNA.

Current methods of DNA storage require freezing temperatures, which are not feasible in other parts of the world. Those methods also consume a large amount of energy, which make them expensive and unscalable.

To address the DNA storage concerns, the MIT researchers developed Thermoset-REinforced Xeropreservation (T-REX) method. This technique stores DNA in a glassy, amber-like polymer at room temperature and protects DNA from heat and water damage. Their study also showed that the DNA can be retrieved from the polymer without any damage. The method only takes a few hours but can be shortened upon optimization.

The researchers are now working on improving the technology to form capsules for long-term storage. In the future, the technology may be used to preserve genomes for personalized medicine. The stored genomes may also undergo further analysis to better understand how they are related to disease.

Read the MIT press release for more information.