DNA data storage

This story was part of the August 2025 print and digital issues of National Geographic magazine.

Scientists have come up with a way to mimic DNA, artificially, to meet our escalating digital data storage needs. The secret lies in translating binary code (of ones and zeros) into the chemical bases that make up our genetic code. This novel solution takes up almost no space and can last for millennia, unlike the current cloud system that demands huge amounts of space and energy, has heavy impacts on the environment and degrades data over time.

Researched in collaboration with Patricia Healy, the print story includes a photo by Mark Thiessen and Rebecca Hale. See also the animation video developed for multiple social media platforms (to come) and how the video was included on the online story (which can be behind a paywall).