DNA of things published in Nature Biotechnology and covered in global news
Our new article on the "DNA of Things”, was recently published in Nature Biotechnology. The work shows that everyday objects can be used as storage devices, irrevocably connecting digital information with physical items using DNA as data storage medium.
In collaboration with the Israeli Computer Scientist Yaniv Erlich we made 3D printed objects, which comprise their full blueprint information within the final object. For this, DNA encoded with the digital information (an .stl file) is encapsulated into glass nanoparticles using our previously developed technology. The nanoparticles are then incorporated into polymer filaments, which are extruded to the final 3D printed object. The technology to make a 3D printed Stanford Bunny with blueprint instructions embedded within is shown in this short film: external pageYoutube.
The technology can also be used to make completely transparent data storage devices. As an example, one of the two lenses in the glasses shown left contains millions of copies of a 1.4 MB youtube movie. Full story from ETH News here.
The article was covered in the NZZ (external pageLink), the Wall Street Journal (external pageLink), WIRED (external pageLink) and several other news outlets (external pageLink).