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How we can store digital data in DNA | Dina Zielinski

TED Talks Daily

How we can store digital data in DNA | Dina Zielinski

From floppy disks to thumb drives, every method of storing data eventually becomes obsolete. What if we could find a way to store all the world's data forever? Bioinformatician Dina Zielinski shares the science behind a solution that's been around for a few billion years: DNA.

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Notes

  1. When Was the First Hard Drive, According to Dina Zielinski? at 2:32

    On TED Talks Daily, Dina Zielinski says IBM released the first hard drive in 1956. She describes it being loaded for shipping in front of a small audience. Full answer

  2. Why Has Digital Data Become a Problem at 3:23

    Because the devices have evolved dramatically. All media eventually becomes obsolete. Full answer

  3. How Can We Store All of Our Data Timelessly at 4:31

    There is a solution that has been around for billions of years. DNA is nature’s oldest storage device. Full answer

  4. What Makes DNA So Great at 4:59

    DNA can store a ton of information in a minuscule space. DNA is also more durable and it does not require electricity to store it. Full answer

  5. How Do We Store Data on DNA at 7:11

    By first learning to sequence, or read DNA. After, how to write or synthesize it. Anything that can be stored as 0s and 1s can be stored in DNA. Full answer

  6. What Practical Problems Does Dina Zielinski Describe in Storing Data in DNA? at 9:46

    On TED Talks Daily, Dina Zielinski says DNA outlasts man-made devices, but it is not perfect. Full answer

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