Can We Store the Whole World's Data in DNA Storage? [conference paper]

Three computers with locks in a circle illustration

Conference

12th USENIX Workshop on Hot Topics in Storage and File Systems - July 13-14, 2020

Authors

Bingzhe Li (postdoctoral associate), Nae Young Song (postdoctoral associate), Li Ou, and David H.C. Du (professor)

Abstract

The total amount of data in the world has been increasing rapidly. However, the increase of data storage capacity is much slower than that of data generation. How to store and archive such a huge amount of data becomes critical and challenging. Synthetic Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) storage is one of the promising candidates with high density and long-term preservation for archival storage systems. The existing works have focused on the achievable feasibility of a small amount of data when using DNA as storage. In this paper, we investigate the scalability and potentials of DNA storage when a huge amount of data, like all available data from the world, is to be stored. First, we investigate the feasible storage capability that can be achieved in a single DNA pool/tube based on current and future technologies. Then, the indexing of DNA storage is explored. Finally, the metadata overhead based on future technology trends is also investigated.

Link to full paper

Can We Store the Whole World's Data in DNA Storage?

Keywords

intelligent storage systems