How to make DNA data storage a reality
Event details
| Date | 06.12.2024 |
| Hour | 13:00 › 14:00 |
| Speaker | Dr. Thomas Heinis, Reader in Computing and Data Management at Imperial College London |
| Location | |
| Category | Conferences - Seminars |
| Event Language | English |
Abstract:
The growing demand for data-driven decision-making, combined with the need to retain data for regulatory compliance, has led to a rapid expansion in the amount of archival data stored. However, the rate of data generation far exceeds advancements in storage density for traditional media like disk and tape. As a result, researchers are exploring new storage technologies that can accommodate "cold" data—information that is infrequently accessed—at very low costs.
One promising solution is synthetic DNA, which has the potential to revolutionize long-term archival storage due to its exceptionally high density and durability. Its vastly superior storage density could significantly reduce the physical footprint of data centers, while its durability ensures reliable long-term storage, making it ideal for meeting compliance requirements.
In this talk, I will discuss the potential of synthetic DNA as a storage medium, review the current state of the field, and highlight key challenges. Importantly, I will also share our research for overcoming these challenges and explore our work in DNA computing for data analytics.
Bio:
Thomas Heinis, PhD, has been a Reader in Computing and Data Management at Imperial College London, where he leads a research team. Dr. Heinis is widely recognized for his work in developing large-scale data management systems, as well as advancements in storage and parallel databases. His research focuses particularly on scaling big data to the cloud for industrial and scientific applications, as well as exploring novel computing and storage platforms. He holds a BSc, MSc, and PhD from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, and during his studies, he was awarded several prestigious fellowships, including a Fulbright fellowship at Purdue University.
The growing demand for data-driven decision-making, combined with the need to retain data for regulatory compliance, has led to a rapid expansion in the amount of archival data stored. However, the rate of data generation far exceeds advancements in storage density for traditional media like disk and tape. As a result, researchers are exploring new storage technologies that can accommodate "cold" data—information that is infrequently accessed—at very low costs.
One promising solution is synthetic DNA, which has the potential to revolutionize long-term archival storage due to its exceptionally high density and durability. Its vastly superior storage density could significantly reduce the physical footprint of data centers, while its durability ensures reliable long-term storage, making it ideal for meeting compliance requirements.
In this talk, I will discuss the potential of synthetic DNA as a storage medium, review the current state of the field, and highlight key challenges. Importantly, I will also share our research for overcoming these challenges and explore our work in DNA computing for data analytics.
Bio:
Thomas Heinis, PhD, has been a Reader in Computing and Data Management at Imperial College London, where he leads a research team. Dr. Heinis is widely recognized for his work in developing large-scale data management systems, as well as advancements in storage and parallel databases. His research focuses particularly on scaling big data to the cloud for industrial and scientific applications, as well as exploring novel computing and storage platforms. He holds a BSc, MSc, and PhD from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, and during his studies, he was awarded several prestigious fellowships, including a Fulbright fellowship at Purdue University.
Practical information
- General public
- Free