Three academicians, 24 experts and 12 investors gathered in Shenzhen to explore the “past, present and future” of DNA data storage.
On January 5, 2022, the “DNA Data Storage” Forum was held at the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (hereinafter referred to as SIAT) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), hosted by the Synthetic Biology Institute of the SIAT under the CAS and Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, and co-organized by the Synthetic Genomics Research Center of SIAT, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics and Carbon-Atom (Shenzhen) Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
The organizer has invited hundreds of scientific experts and scholars to the forum, including Fan Chunhai, an academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences and a professor from Shanghai Jiaotong University, Yang Huanming, an academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences and a professor from Shenzhen BGI Research Institute, Yuan Yingjin, an academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences and a professor from Tianjin University, researcher Fan Jianping, the president of SIAT and the director of the preparatory office of SIAT University, and researcher Liu Chenli, the vice president of SIAT and the head of Synthetic Biology Institute of SIAT. The forum was also attended by 12 investors such as Country Garden Ventures, Sequoia China and BioTrack Capital and several industrial companies as well as public figures. It was held online and offline at the same time in strict accordance with the epidemic prevention and control requirements, and launched an in-depth discussion on “the past, present and future of DNA data storage”. The event was chaired by Fan Chunhai, an academician with Shanghai Jiaotong University, and researcher Dai Junbiao, deputy director of the Synthetic Biology Institute of SIAT. Dai Junbiao presided over the event.
At the beginning, President Fan Jianping delivered a speech on the forum. He gave an overview of the research and development status of DNA data storage in China in terms of scientific innovation, the combination of research and industry, multidisciplinary effort, cooperation at home and abroad, and pinned high expectations on the development of relevant technologies and industries in the future. He said that DNA data storage was an important strategic emerging technology, which was of great significance in solving IT bottlenecks with BT technology. Some professionals from the two major teams of the Synthetic Biology Institute and the Digital Technology Institute of the SIAT are pursuing technological breakthroughs in this field. Therefore, the SIAT is now taking the lead internationally with its platform foundation and patent portfolio. Meanwhile, it has received funding support from a number of national and local major projects in this field, and has incubated some key industrial companies such as Carbon-Atom. It will spare no effort to support the technological progress and industrial development in this field. He welcomed more people with lofty ideals to join the SIAT and advance this important research program.
President Fan Jianping delivers a speech
Later, Vice President Liu Chenli pointed out in his speech that DNA data storage was a disruptive and innovative technology that solves the IT bottlenecks with BT technology, and was of a strategic value for solving the current problems encountered in encryption and ultra large cold data storage. Although the research is still in the initial stage, it is believed that with the concerted efforts of research, education, industry and capital, the technology and industrial chain will form a closed loop and achieve an important breakthrough.
Vice President Liu Chenli delivers a speech
Later, the organizer held the opening ceremony of DNA Information Storage Industry Innovation and Transformation Center of SIAT under CAS & Carbon-Atom (Shenzhen) Biotechnology Co., Ltd. and the appointment ceremony of Carbon-Atom’s Science and Technology Advisory Board.
The inauguration of the DNA Information Storage Industry Innovation and Transformation Center
After a short break, academician Yuan Yingjin of Tianjin University shared the past, present and future of DNA digital information storage from the background of DNA storage, the concept of DNA storage and the DNA storage cases (yeast CD).
Later, around the topic of “the interdisciplinary fusion of DNA data storage subject”, researcher Zuo Xiaolei from Shanghai Jiaotong University, professor Wang Xiaowo from Tsinghua University, assistant researcher Qian Long from Peking University, associate professor Chen Xin from Tianjin University, researcher Han Da from Shanghai Jiaotong University, professor Jiang Xingyu from the Southern University of Science and Technology delivered a wonderful report, explaining the DNA data storage related technology and research from different perspectives.
Around the topic of “research on key technology of DNA data storage”, researcher Xu Xun from Shenzhen BGI Research Institute, professor Huang Yanyi from Peking University, researcher Liu Zhai from Wuhan Institute of Virology, CAS, associate professor Chen Weigang from Tianjin University, senior engineer Xie Sijia from Shanghai Industrial Technology Research Institute, professor Liu Hong from Southeast University, associate professor Wang Fei from Shanghai Jiaotong University and associate researcher Huang Xiaoluo from SIAT delivered an academic report based on their respective research field.
The experts were generous in sharing their major breakthroughs in the fields of algorithm, biochemistry, hardware and engineering technology. The investors and participants at the site showed great interest in the technical fields of the experts, and had an in-depth academic exchange of views, inspirations and thoughts.
Yang Huanming, an academician with Shenzhen BGI Research Institute, made a summary on the experts’ reports. He said that DNA storage was an inevitable trend of information development with a great potential. He was convinced that through the constant exploration and creation efforts of everyone, it would achieve more and better achievements and progresses. He also suggested that researchers should stay concentrated and slow down in scientific research, guard against arrogance, and focus on the present. Finally, he hoped that the field of DNA storage could be accepted by more people and reach a new height.
Later, a seminar was held around the opportunities and challenges of DNA storage, presided over by researcher Dai Junbiao and attended by researcher Jiang Qingshan from SIAT, researcher Chen Chang from Shanghai Industrial Technology Research Institute, general manager Chen Yidong of Carbon-Atom (Shenzhen), researcher Xu Xun from Shenzhen BGI Research Institute, chairman Xu Mingliang of Shenzhen Zhongke Angel Venture Investment. Around topics such as “challenges faced by industrial application of DNA storage”, “DNA synthesis technology in the future”, “the contribution of chemists to DNA storage technology”, “why DNA storage is valued and invested”, “integrated development of computer, mathematics, biology and chemistry”, the attendees discussed and explored the opportunities for the development and industrialization of DNA data storage. The experts at the site agreed that with the concerted efforts of everyone, DNA information storage would definitely advance from science and technology to industrial application in the future, and the technical problems encountered today would be overcome one by one. It is believed that DNA information storage will bring huge industrial opportunities in the future.
Thematic discussion
Finally, academician Fan Chunhai delivered a closing speech at the forum and launched an initiative of DNA Data Storage Alliance. He stressed that DNA data storage was an important field of technology with epoch-making significance, which solves the key problems faced by humankind. After today’s forum, more and more talented scientists will join the effort to promote the technological progress in this field. Researcher Dai Junbiao delivered a conclusion speech and expressed his gratitude to all the guests and participants. He believed that with the joint efforts of everyone, the DNA data storage would thrive vigorously.
A scene of the forum
