Coding schemes for DNA based storage systems
We are interested in developing new coding schemes for DNA based storage system. Our approach is based on the in-depth understanding of DNA synthesis and other molecular biology processes. In our most recent publication in Nature Biotechnology We introduce the use of composite DNA letters to increase the logical density of DNA storage above the strict, single molecule, theoretical limit of 2 bits per synthesis cycle. The idea behind composite DNA letters can be compared to the generation of different colors by mixing the 3 base colors: Red, Green and Blue. Similarly, a composite DNA letter is a representation of a position in a sequence that constitutes a mixture of all four standart DNA nucleotides in a specific predetermined ratio.
Animation – Synthesis of composite DNA.
We described our method in a blog post aimed for the general public.