Perspective
Open Access
The Future of DNA Storage in Revolutionizing Biological Data Management
1
The Key Laboratory of Advanced Design and Intelligent Computing, Ministry of Education, School of Software Engineering, Dalian University, Dalian 116622, China
2
School of Computer Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
* Corresponding Author:
Xue Li,
[email protected]
Volume 1, Issue 2
2025
Received: 06 September 2025
Accepted: 17 September 2025
Published: 26 September 2025
Article Information
Published in
Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Bioinformatics
Volume/Issue
Volume 1, Issue 2, 2025
Pages
51-57
Abstract
Compared with traditional storage media, biological data storage has advanced more rapidly in capacity, diversity, and lifespan, and it also enables continuous data retention. The DNA molecule, as Nature's own archival medium, provides unparalleled density, longevity, and passive durability, making it a compelling foundation for the next generation of "cold" and "deeply cold" archives. Since 2019, progress across the stack—coding for insertion–deletion–missing channels, large-scale random access, enzyme writing, nanopore-native retrieval, and chemically robust expansion—has transformed DNA storage from provocative demonstrations into mature technologies with early end-to-end prototypes. From this perspective, we believe biological data management (BDM) is the first area where DNA storage can have practical impact, including raw sequencing archives, microscopic images, clinical omics data, and compliance-driven retention of de-identified records. We synthesize the latest technology levels, highlight what is actually working in today's labs, distinguish challenges from bottlenecks (particularly write costs/latencies and standardization), and propose a 2025–2030 roadmap with specific milestones in coding, writing, access, and media preservation. Finally, this paper proposes guidelines for integrating DNA archives into biological institutes, biobanks, and hospital systems as a supplementary layer to tape/object storage, and outlines a research agenda covering privacy, chain of custody, and sustainability.
Graphical Abstract
Keywords
DNA storage
biological data management
Data Availability Statement
Not applicable.
Funding
This work was supported without any funding.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Ethical Approval and Consent to Participate
Not applicable.
References
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APA Style
Chen, R., Li, X., & Cao, B. (2025). The Future of DNA Storage in Revolutionizing Biological Data Management. Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Bioinformatics, 1(2), 51–57. https://doi.org/10.62762/JAIB.2025.924847
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TY - JOUR AU - Chen, Rongrong AU - Li, Xue AU - Cao, Ben PY - 2025 DA - 2025/09/26 TI - The Future of DNA Storage in Revolutionizing Biological Data Management JO - Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Bioinformatics T2 - Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Bioinformatics JF - Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Bioinformatics VL - 1 IS - 2 SP - 51 EP - 57 DO - 10.62762/JAIB.2025.924847 UR - https://www.icck.org/article/abs/JAIB.2025.924847 KW - DNA storage KW - biological data management AB - Compared with traditional storage media, biological data storage has advanced more rapidly in capacity, diversity, and lifespan, and it also enables continuous data retention. The DNA molecule, as Nature's own archival medium, provides unparalleled density, longevity, and passive durability, making it a compelling foundation for the next generation of "cold" and "deeply cold" archives. Since 2019, progress across the stack—coding for insertion–deletion–missing channels, large-scale random access, enzyme writing, nanopore-native retrieval, and chemically robust expansion—has transformed DNA storage from provocative demonstrations into mature technologies with early end-to-end prototypes. From this perspective, we believe biological data management (BDM) is the first area where DNA storage can have practical impact, including raw sequencing archives, microscopic images, clinical omics data, and compliance-driven retention of de-identified records. We synthesize the latest technology levels, highlight what is actually working in today's labs, distinguish challenges from bottlenecks (particularly write costs/latencies and standardization), and propose a 2025–2030 roadmap with specific milestones in coding, writing, access, and media preservation. Finally, this paper proposes guidelines for integrating DNA archives into biological institutes, biobanks, and hospital systems as a supplementary layer to tape/object storage, and outlines a research agenda covering privacy, chain of custody, and sustainability. SN - 3068-7535 PB - Institute of Central Computation and Knowledge LA - English ER -
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@article{Chen2025The,
author = {Rongrong Chen and Xue Li and Ben Cao},
title = {The Future of DNA Storage in Revolutionizing Biological Data Management},
journal = {Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Bioinformatics},
year = {2025},
volume = {1},
number = {2},
pages = {51-57},
doi = {10.62762/JAIB.2025.924847},
url = {https://www.icck.org/article/abs/JAIB.2025.924847},
abstract = {Compared with traditional storage media, biological data storage has advanced more rapidly in capacity, diversity, and lifespan, and it also enables continuous data retention. The DNA molecule, as Nature's own archival medium, provides unparalleled density, longevity, and passive durability, making it a compelling foundation for the next generation of "cold" and "deeply cold" archives. Since 2019, progress across the stack—coding for insertion–deletion–missing channels, large-scale random access, enzyme writing, nanopore-native retrieval, and chemically robust expansion—has transformed DNA storage from provocative demonstrations into mature technologies with early end-to-end prototypes. From this perspective, we believe biological data management (BDM) is the first area where DNA storage can have practical impact, including raw sequencing archives, microscopic images, clinical omics data, and compliance-driven retention of de-identified records. We synthesize the latest technology levels, highlight what is actually working in today's labs, distinguish challenges from bottlenecks (particularly write costs/latencies and standardization), and propose a 2025–2030 roadmap with specific milestones in coding, writing, access, and media preservation. Finally, this paper proposes guidelines for integrating DNA archives into biological institutes, biobanks, and hospital systems as a supplementary layer to tape/object storage, and outlines a research agenda covering privacy, chain of custody, and sustainability.},
keywords = {DNA storage, biological data management},
issn = {3068-7535},
publisher = {Institute of Central Computation and Knowledge}
}
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