CalcADN project

Designing the first DNA computer capable of large-scale calculations

Impact

CalcADN's main objective is to develop a computer capable of manipulating data directly in DNA. Recording and storing data in synthetic DNA is already a reality which is a promising solution for storing information in a compact, sustainable, environmentally-friendly way. However for subsequent applications to go further than just archiving, researchers need to be able to interact with these data and express programmes (actions required to be carried out) directly in DNA. The CalcADN project aims to develop the first DNA computer able to manipulate and analyse such data directly in its DNA form. Queries and data are combined in a single solution and processes are parallelized using the enzymatic toolbox. This makes molecular computing much more efficient by overcoming current limitations that mean very small amounts of information can be processed. This project will open up interesting new pathways for data analysis and establish DNA as an effective medium for storage and computing in the future.

Limitations to overcome

The first challenge is to produce a single programme that can solve a simple algorithmic problem for the first time regardless of the volume of data needing to be processed. The environmental impact will also be assessed to validate frugality and determine the scope of usage. The analysis of the structure of a network of relationships has become central to data analysis. The Software Heritage library lists open source codes and will therefore be used as a basis for experimentation to run queries to analyse the relationships between a million entities.

Risks

Creating a molecular computer requires mastery of all its components including the creation, execution and reading of DNA programmes. The scope of application for molecular computing also depends on the level of performance and automation that can be achieved and also on its energy and environmental cost.

Innovation potential

The exchange of information between the data and the memory limits calculations run on traditional computers involving large datasets. Solving this issue is a crucial challenge for the development of digital technology. Low-cost DNA storage is also becoming more widely available and clearly the new technology will attract users requiring calculations on large datasets. The CalcADN project can make a key contribution to liberating the full potential of DNA data storage and computation. Only a few research groups have begun to work on these questions aimed at providing the right response to user demand for petabytes or exabytes of data stored in DNA. The CalcADN project will thus contribute to establishing French leadership in this research field.