A biological camera that captures and stores images directly into DNA

Cheng Kai Lim, Jing Wui Yeoh, Aurelius Andrew Kunartama, Wen Shan Yew and Chueh Loo Poh ()
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Cheng Kai Lim: Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation, National University of Singapore
Jing Wui Yeoh: Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation, National University of Singapore
Aurelius Andrew Kunartama: Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation, National University of Singapore
Wen Shan Yew: Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation, National University of Singapore
Chueh Loo Poh: Synthetic Biology for Clinical and Technological Innovation, National University of Singapore

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract The increasing integration between biological and digital interfaces has led to heightened interest in utilizing biological materials to store digital data, with the most promising one involving the storage of data within defined sequences of DNA that are created by de novo DNA synthesis. However, there is a lack of methods that can obviate the need for de novo DNA synthesis, which tends to be costly and inefficient. Here, in this work, we detail a method of capturing 2-dimensional light patterns into DNA, by utilizing optogenetic circuits to record light exposure into DNA, encoding spatial locations with barcoding, and retrieving stored images via high-throughput next-generation sequencing. We demonstrate the encoding of multiple images into DNA, totaling 1152 bits, selective image retrieval, as well as robustness to drying, heat and UV. We also demonstrate successful multiplexing using multiple wavelengths of light, capturing 2 different images simultaneously using red and blue light. This work thus establishes a ‘living digital camera’, paving the way towards integrating biological systems with digital devices.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38876-w

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