Catalog Technologies, Inc. (CATALOG) is collaborating with Seagate on several initiatives to
advance scalable and automated DNA-based storage and computation platforms,
including making DNA-based platforms up to 1000 times smaller.
The collaboration will center on using Seagate’s “lab on a chip” technology to
reduce the volume of chemistry required for DNA-based storage and computation.
Using the Seagate platform, tiny droplets of synthetic DNA can test chemistry
at significantly smaller levels. These droplets will be processed through
dozens of reservoirs on the Seagate platform. DNA from individual reservoirs is
mixed to produce chemical reactions for a range of computing functions,
including search and analytics, machine learning, and process
optimization.
This research will provide valuable insights into possibilities for the next
generation of DNA-based storage and computation platforms in various form
factors, including desktop and IoT-sized versions.
CATALOG’s first-generation automated and scalable DNA computation and storage
platform, Shannon, is about the size of an average family kitchen and was
developed as a proof of concept to demonstrate the potential of DNA computation
and storage.
The goals for the next-generation platform are to use significantly smaller
amounts of chemicals, require less energy, and operate almost
anywhere-including in offices, on ships in the middle of the ocean, and
potentially in space.
Why DNA for Storage and
Computation
Computing applications, including advanced analytics, artificial intelligence,
and machine learning, have proven the value of data. The IT industry has
witnessed a proliferation of purpose-fit technologies over the last several
years, including accelerators (GPUs, FPGAs), quantum computers, as well as
extreme parallel computers. The advent of the DNA-based computer
complements this portfolio, emphasizing low-energy use and a small
footprint.
CATALOG’s goal with this Seagate collaboration is to help advance the ability
to preserve the world’s most valuable data sets, write and store them forever,
and make them available for high-value decision making.
“Collaborating with an industry leader like Seagate will help speed our
ability to advance DNA storage,” said Hyunjun Park, founding CEO of
CATALOG. “In addition to DNA storage, CATALOG has already discovered the
means to incorporate DNA into algorithms and applications with potential
widespread cases including artificial intelligence, machine learning, data
analytics, and secure computing. This work with Seagate is essential to
eventually lowering costs and reducing the complexity of storage systems.”
“We are excited to collaborate with CATALOG,” said Ed Gage, VP of Seagate
Research. “Their leadership in DNA-based storage and compute, combined with
Seagate’s long history of bringing innovative storage solutions to market, has
the potential to accelerate the development and deployment of DNA-based
solutions to address the challenges of the rapidly expanding datasphere.”
David Marshall
David Marshall is the founder of VMblog.com, one of the industry's longest-running independent publications covering modern data center technologies. What began as a focus on virtualization and cloud computing has expanded to cover the full spectrum of enterprise IT, including AI, security, and DevOps, making VMblog a trusted destination for vendor news, technology analysis, and industry commentary.Beyond publishing, David has spent his career at the intersection of technology and business, inventing, marketing, and launching a number of successful software companies and products, and building a reputation as a skilled marketing executive in the enterprise IT space.David is also a published author, having written two well-regarded books on virtualization and served as technical editor for two "For Dummies" titles covering virtualization and cloud computing. He co-founded CloudCow.com, a publication focused on cloud computing, and has been named a VMware vExpert every year since 2009, one of the longest continuous honoree streaks in the program's history.Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmarshall/
