The 5D crystal, an eternal memory to preserve the human genome

A team of researchers from the Optoelectronics Research Center (ORC) at the University of Southampton have developed a “5-dimensional” (5D) memory crystal capable of retaining up to 360 terabytes of data without degradation for billions of years. This revolutionary medium is capable of storing critical genetic information, such as the human genome or that of endangered species, in the hope that this data can be used to restore extinct species in the distant future.

A storage medium with extraordinary capacities

Professor Peter Kazansky, who leads this team, explained that this technology relies on the use of ultra-fast lasers to inscribe information in the form of nanostructures in silica. 5D dimensions refer to five variables used to encode the data: the height, length, width, orientation and position of the nanostructures. “ Unlike traditional media such as paper or magnetic tape, which degrade over time, this crystal can withstand extreme conditions, such as temperatures up to 1,000°C, intense physical impacts and prolonged exposure to cosmic radiation. “, underlined the professor.

This crystal was designed to withstand not only the test of time, but also the harshest environmental conditions. It can thus survive extreme temperatures, violent shocks, as well as the effects of cosmic radiation. These features make it ideal for retaining vital information over long periods of time, well beyond the lifespan of current media.

In 2014, this crystal was awarded the Guinness World Record for the most durable digital storage material. It is now stored in a time capsule, the “Memory of Mankind archive”, located in a salt cave in Hallstatt, Austria. This project is part of an approach aimed at protecting human knowledge, but also biodiversity, in the face of potential future disasters. Researchers hope that endangered species, as well as the human genome, can be reconstructed using the information contained in the crystal, in case science is one day able to synthesize complex organisms.

Although current technology does not yet make it possible to recreate complex organisms from their genome alone, advances in the field of synthetic biology point to fascinating possibilities for the future. Professor Kazansky cites in particular the example of the synthetic bacteria created in 2010 by Craig Venter’s team, which demonstrated that simple organisms can be manufactured in the laboratory from their genetic code.

While awaiting similar advances for more complex organisms such as plants or animals, the 5D crystal could already serve as a repository of valuable information for future generations. A visual key inscribed in the crystal explains the nature of the data it contains as well as how it can be used. This key includes information on the universal elements (hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen) as well as the structure of DNA.

Questions remain regarding the ability of future generations to read this information. Thomas Heinis, a DNA storage specialist at Imperial College London, points out that “ While the durability of the crystal is impressive, the real challenge lies in whether future generations will know how to decode this data and have the technology to harness it. » Suffice it to say that Jurassic Park is not for now.

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