Escherichia coli viewed under an electron microscope (Image source: NAID)

It is possible to compare the DNA molecule with read-only memories (ROM), ie the data is present but cannot be changed at first. However, just as flash and EPROM memories can be rewritten by some specific process, so is DNA capable of storing new information and overwriting it as needed. At least that is what the research conducted by Drew Endy of Stanford University in the United States indicates.

According to an article published by Nature, rewritable biological circuits have been produced before and can be used to enable or disable features provided by genes. This time, Endy and his team put together genetic elements of a virus that infects bacteria in the DNA of Escherichia coli, one of the human symbolic microorganisms.

Cellular hard drive

The system is made up of pieces that signal to the enzymes produced by the virus that the DNA must be "cut out" and "glued" back to the chromosome in a different orientation. Thus, the researchers realized that the process can be redone up to 16 times and that it is purely digital, that is, depending on the orientation of the glued DNA stretch, it can serve as “0” or “1”, as in the binary system. used by computers.

In addition, the cell does not expend extra energy to store memory, using just enough to maintain DNA. According to Endy, the combination of these elements can be used to track microscopic activities, such as the series of divisions required for a stem cell to become an adult cell.

“What Drew's group has been able to do that others have not yet demonstrated is the ability to create many cycles for this memory, which can be compared to writing a bit to a hard drive, reading it and changing it again, over and over, ”University of Washington biologist Eric Klavins told Nature.

Source: Nature