Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Within the NEO consortium (neodna.eu), we are developing a DNA digital data storage approach based on the precise positioning of objects on DNA origami nanostructures. Compared with sequence-based DNA data storage techniques, the approach aims to achieve higher robustness and faster data reading using atomic force microscopy. On the other hand, the method su6ers from high writing error probabilities and much lower data densities in comparison to the sequence-based methods. A practical example is the placement of streptavidin protein molecules for AFM imaging, where the writing success probabilities hardly reach 80%, and the e6ective “bit” densities are in the order of tens of nanometers. [Rabbe L. RSC Adv., 2025,15, 24536] In the present work, we improve the labelling yield by replacing the streptavidin with metal nanoclusters directly incorporating single-stranded DNA oligomers. Metal nanoclusters can be positioned on the dimensions of nanometers, while still being suitable for AFM imaging. We observe much lower writing error rates in comparison to biotin-streptavidin binding, indicating that our mechanism is less sterically hindered. In this particular case, information writing and deletion are demonstrated using the strand displacement reactions to selectively bind or remove the nanoclusters on DNA origami. Finally, we also demonstrate fast data reading using transmission electron microscopy. The work was supported by the EIC Pathfinder Challenges project 101115317 “NEO”.
Presented by
Jaroslav Kocisek, University of Washington
This is a presentation from the 2026 Storage and Computing with DNA Conference.
· Learn More about the SNIA DNA Data Storage Alliance: snia.org/groups/snia-dna-technology-affiliate
· SNIA Educational Library: snia.org/library
· X: twitter.com/SNIA
· LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/snia
Within the NEO consortium (neodna.eu), we are developing a DNA digital data storage approach based on the precise positioning of objects on DNA origami nanostructures. Compared with sequence-based DNA data storage techniques, the approach aims to achieve higher robustness and faster data reading using atomic force microscopy. On the other hand, the method su6ers from high writing error probabilities and much lower data densities in comparison to the sequence-based methods. A practical example is the placement of streptavidin protein molecules for AFM imaging, where the writing success probabilities hardly reach 80%, and the e6ective “bit” densities are in the order of tens of nanometers. [Rabbe L. RSC Adv., 2025,15, 24536] In the present work, we improve the labelling yield by replacing the streptavidin with metal nanoclusters directly incorporating single-stranded DNA oligomers. Metal nanoclusters can be positioned on the dimensions of nanometers, while still being suitable for AFM imaging. We observe much lower writing error rates in comparison to biotin-streptavidin binding, indicating that our mechanism is less sterically hindered. In this particular case, information writing and deletion are demonstrated using the strand displacement reactions to selectively bind or remove the nanoclusters on DNA origami. Finally, we also demonstrate fast data reading using transmission electron microscopy. The work was supported by the EIC Pathfinder Challenges project 101115317 “NEO”.
Presented by
Jaroslav Kocisek, University of Washington
This is a presentation from the 2026 Storage and Computing with DNA Conference.
· Learn More about the SNIA DNA Data Storage Alliance: snia.org/groups/snia-dna-technology-affiliate
· SNIA Educational Library: snia.org/library
· X: twitter.com/SNIA
· LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/snia
