Abstract
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The DNAMIC project aims to develop, among others, an autonomous DNA microfactory for secure, long-term data storage, leveraging DNA as a high-density medium. Our autonomous microfactory concept, originally designed for the watchmaking industry, represents a breakthrough in DNA data storage, will combine autonomous, independent modules for DNA processing from encoding to decoding, including synthesis, amplification, library preparation and sequencing. The information to be archived is first formatted using the OLOS.swiss long-term preservation system, powered by the DLCM technology. This platform represents the basic building block of the proposed DNA archiving system and is compliant with ISO 14721 (OAIS) reference model from data ingestion to access. OLOS maintains an agnostic view of file formats, enabling it to preserve any file type while securing its integrity by means of checksums. The OAIS standard ensures, through metadata and self-documentation, that the content archived in DNA can be recovered in the event of system failure and can be interpreted in the future, even if the original software or systems are not available. The archival information packages (AIP) will be sent to the microfactory supervisor via a specific connector, which distributes the task to the relevant modular devices. The information received is processed by the CODEC to generate oligonucleotide sequences for all data and query strands. To retrieve an AIP, the synthesiser fabricates the query primers, and the samples are sent to the amplification module. The data is then split into two sets. One is returned for storage for subsequent sequencing, and the other is passed on to the sequencing stage. A bidirectional sequencing algorithm allows execution to be stopped as soon as all data has been decoded, minimising time and reagent consumption. The data are returned to the OLOS archiving system with the previously metadata recorded. Throughout the process, the microfactory’s supervisor unit will monitor the processing of data to ensure minimal deviation from target, and to enable corrective or preventive actions to be taken rapidly. In the longer term, the work conducted as part of this project on modular, microfactory-based automation can serve as a catalyst for a wider community in this field.