Microsoft developing storage technology that uses biology to replace tape drives, planning to save data on DNA within next three years

Briefing

June 12, 2017

Briefing	DNA for Storing Data – Microsoft announced plans to start storing data on DNA strands within next three years and have DNA-enabled storage system in one of its data centers by 2027, potentially addressing physical limitations of current storage systems, such as tape drives Last Known Progress – Showed early version of DNA data storage technology in 2016 by encrypting around 200MB of literary classics in DNA's four bases Issues and Challenges – Include high cost of manufacturing DNA and slow conversion of existing file formats to DNA codes DNA Supplier – Twist Bioscience, startup company focused on DNA manufacturing innovations, supplying Microsoft with millions of DNA strands to accelerate storage technology research
Accelerator	Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Computation and Storage
Sector	Information Technology
Organization	Microsoft Corp.
Source	Regalado, A., "Microsoft has a plan to add DNA data storage to its cloud", MIT Technology Review, https://www.technologyreview.com/; Mcrae, M., "Microsoft plans on storing its data on DNA in the next 3 years", Science Alert, http://www.sciencealert.com/; AcceleratingBiz analysis
Original Publication Date	May 22, 2017

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