Jakarta, INTI - Researchers in China are developing DNA-based data storage technology that they claim can store billions of songs, photos, and various digital files in a very compact format.
According to a Live Science report, this technology, called DNA Cassette Tape, uses a long plastic tape coated with synthetic DNA to store digital data. The technology, which was released in September 2025, allows one kilometer of DNA tape to store up to 362,000 terabytes (TB) of data, equivalent to approximately 60 billion high-resolution photos.
The researchers believe this innovation could be a solution to the increasingly massive surge in digital data, particularly due to advances in artificial intelligence (AI). For comparison, typical laptop storage capacities range from 0.5 to 2 TB, while smartphones typically have 128 GB to 256 GB.
How The DNA Storage Tape Works
"DNA has the potential to become the next-generation information storage medium due to its high storage density," the researchers wrote in their study published on September 10 in the journal Science Advances.
Technically, each section of the tape is equipped with a barcode that indicates the location of a file. A device similar to a cassette player would scan the tape, identify the file, and then extract the relevant DNA. The DNA base sequence is then sequenced and translated back into file code.
The Technology Can Store Up To 3 Billion Songs and Last a Long Time
This method works by converting binary data (0s and 1s) into a synthetic DNA base sequence. The DNA is then printed and affixed to a plastic tape approximately 100 meters long, capable of storing up to 3 billion songs. This tape can be played back in a cassette-like reader, which can find files based on barcodes and convert them back into digital form, such as images, documents, or audio.
Another advantage of DNA is its extremely long shelf life. Researchers estimate that a DNA tape can store data for more than 345 years at room temperature, or up to approximately 20,000 years at 0°C. Even if damaged, the tape can still be repaired using transparent adhesive.
In addition to reading data, this device can also add new DNA strands and automatically detect and correct misplacements based on barcodes. However, this technology still faces several challenges with high cost of DNA synthesis, time-consuming process, and need for large equipment. Additionally, the process of retrieving a single file from a DNA strip currently still takes about 25 minutes, making it impractical for widespread use as a digital storage solution.
Conclusion
Researchers in China developed DNA Cassette Tape technology capable of storing data in extremely large capacities, up to hundreds of thousands of terabytes per kilometer of tape, with a durability of hundreds to tens of thousands of years. This technology works by converting digital data into DNA sequences that are stored on tape and read back using a device similar to a cassette player. While it has the potential to be a future storage solution, mass usage is still limited due to high costs, slow processes, and complex technological requirements.
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