Scientists pave the way for large-scale storage at the atomic level

Re:Scientists pave the way for large-scale storage at the at... by dexwiz on Tuesday July 19, 2016 @10:20AM (#12121917)

Genetic storage is way more resistant to bit rot than conventional computers. DNA is not stable, has a full time support system fixing it, and still has a relatively high mutation rate. But biological systems on the whole are much more resistant to individual errors.

Yes, single mutations can cause horrible diseases, but these mutations are either in the active site of proteins, or disrupt folding. A large portion of proteins are "bulk." If you look at protein simulations, only a small section of the protein is simulated, and the rest is just approximated as charged mass. Changes there are much less impactful and noticeable. As for it to be a disease, it had to be present at time of concept. If it happens during life (which is does, millions of times a day), the cell either ignores it or dies.

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Re:Scientists pave the way for large-scale storage at the at... by dekhn on Tuesday July 19, 2016 @10:27AM (#12121958)

DNA kept cool and dry is stable for millenia. Any storage done with DNA would likely be done in a fixed environment outside of the cell.

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Re:Scientists pave the way for large-scale storage at the at... by choicewords on Tuesday July 19, 2016 @12:47PM (#12122837)

I thought natural radioactive decay was sufficient to mangle DNA.

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Re:Scientists pave the way for large-scale storage at the at... by skykooler on Tuesday July 19, 2016 @01:17PM (#12123098)

Same for other storage devices.

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Re:Scientists pave the way for large-scale storage at the at... by dekhn on Tuesday July 19, 2016 @12:48PM (#12122849)

minimal shielding and non-radioactive storage elements suffice.

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