Still fascinated by science

I am a molecular neurobiologist by training who now works in science and technology communications. I love my profession but from time to time I miss not being at the heart of science. Reading the Nature article ‘How DNA could store all the world’s data’ was such a moment.

As we face increasing amounts of data that can barely be managed, the idea of DNA as a storage medium begins to look very interesting. There are still many challenges that need to be overcome, as the authors of the article state. For instance, to reduce the time it takes to encode data by DNA synthesis, to recover the information by sequencing, and to minimize the number of associated errors. 

However, in terms of the stability and density of this form of information storage, the concept is fascinating. The DNA of a 3500-year-old mammoth is currently being used to clone a mammoth. As a comparison: the life span of our current long-term storage media is measured in decades. 

I am looking forward to where science takes us next.