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DNA Solution: A Pathbreaking Discovery in the Realm of Data Storage System

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DNA solution

In a world driven by data, knowing where and how to store it efficiently is a huge concern. In fact, it’s believed that humanity will generate an estimated 33 zettabytes of data by 2025. One of the most potent solutions, in this case, could be archiving information in DNA molecules.

Various studies indicate that DNA properly encapsulated with salt remains stable for decades at room temperature. Even better, DNA can archive a huge amount of detail in an almost inconceivably small volume. DNA storage can squeeze huge volumes of data into ping pong balls.

There’s already extensive underway to determine the potency and potential of the DNA storage system. Let’s delve into what DNA storage is all about.

How The DNA Storage Solution Works

The magnetic hard drive is the usual method for storing data in today’s computers. Inside the hard drive, a pair of rotating discs, known as the platters, resemble a CD. They store data onto their circular surface as binary codes. Placed in the middle of a spindle, the platter rotates, and an electronic current reads and writes data on the surface. The electronic components power the whole operation.

Similarly, DNA-powered storage requires an encoding and decoding system. In this case, scientists chemically produce synthetic DNA with certain properties, depending on the four nucleotides bases— guanine (G), adenine (A), cytosine (C), and thymine (T)—that make up the genetic material’s ladder-like helical shape.

Since there are four building blocks in DNA, as compared to the binary 1s and 0s in magnetic hard drives, the genetic storage method is a lot denser. According to researchers, even a teaspoon of DNA comprises such a huge volume that it would require at least 10 Walmart Supercentre sized data centres to store.

Data stored on DNA can last for hundreds of thousands of years. In fact, there’s an entire area of science known as archaeogenetics that delves into the longevity of DNA to determine the ancient past.

Aside from that, DNA rarely requires maintenance once it’s stored. We already know that fossils preserve DNA sequences even after millions of years have passed. DNA storage doesn’t need energy, either. It only needs a cool, dark place to hang out until someone decides to use it. But the greatest benefit, as per researchers, is that our capacity to read and write DNA will never become obsolete.

Shortcomings of The DNA Data Storage

Like most data storage methods, DNA comes with several drawbacks as well. The most significant challenge is its cost. Researchers believe the present methods of DNA data storage are similar to the price for an Apple Hard Disk 20 back in 1980. Back then, around 20 megabytes of storage or the amount of data you’d need to download a 15-minute video went for about $1,500.

Other than that, DNA is also error-prone. Remember the four nucleotide bases mentioned earlier that make up the DNA ladder? On average, DNA shows about one mistake per 100 to 1,000 nucleotides. The mistakes can take three forms,  substitutions, insertions, and deletions.

Potential Uses of the DNA Data Storage System

DNA data storage is rapidly moving from the lab to production. But since the sequencing and synthesis processes are slow compared to electronic information processing, the only viable application is archival storage. For instance, it presently takes hours to write a few gigabytes of data, even though an experimental parallel processing technique is said to reach a terabyte per day.

DNA storage comes with a tolerance for high error rates. Unlike in pharmaceutical uses, where a slight error in the DNA sequence can leave a profound impact, the capacity to employ sophisticated encoding algorithms means storage systems can maintain complete data fidelity with error rates of around 10% in the sequencing and synthesis processes.

The video streaming industry presented a fitting example of the potential use of DNA for archival data storage. In 2020, Twist Bioscience worked with Netflix to showcase the possibility of DNA for video preservation. Researchers at ETH Zurich encoded the pilot episode of the Netflix series Biohackers into DNA nucleotides. The nucleotides then synthesised into DNA strands using Twist Bioscience’s silicon platform. The uncompressed 4K video runs about 250 MBps, which translates to 750 GB for a 50-minute episode. It’s definitely a promising display of DNA’s potential as an archival medium.

The Future of DNA Data Storage System

It’s already established that the potential for DNA-based storage is incredible. You could leverage DNA-based data storage to significant make forensic discoveries about inanimate objects that don’t come with their own genetic material.

Suppose you cover an aeroplane with a material that consists of DNA, with the complete instructions for building that particular part of the plane. In case of any system malfunction results in a plane crash, the DNA in the coating will degrade to some degree because of the sun’s ultraviolet rays.DNA storage can also be used in assignment help industries.

Despite some great breakthroughs, DNA-based digital storage is still has a long way to go.

It’s been over half a century since magnetic tape replaced punch cards as the primary system for data storage, stirring up a revolution in personal computing. Since then, disk drives have only turned smaller with time. So a future where the storage medium of choice is so tiny that you can barely even see it actually makes sense.

Endnote, DNA data storage is closer to commercial reality than it’s to fiction. When this becomes a reality, DNA-powered storage will be the most impressive leap yet for technology. That said, there are some undeniable challenges that shouldn’t be overlooked. All in all, it’s only a matter of time when the DNA turns out to be the ultimate data storage solution.

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The Reasons Why You Should Use The Reasons Why You Should Use Data Analytics

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Data Analytics

Have you heard terms such as ‘big data,’ ‘data analytics,’ ‘data warehouse,’ and ‘data mining’ and wondered what they mean? The Age of Analytics began in the 1960s. Since then, businesses of all types have come to understand the value of good data. Today, companies around the globe prioritize acquiring and analyzing data.

Data analytics refers to analyzing raw data. Data analytics transforms numeric data into meaningful information by identifying patterns. Let’s look at some of the reasons your company should be using data analytics.

Data Analytics Provide Real-Time Information From Multiple Sources

When your company uses data analytics, it draws information from sources such as the Internet of Things (IoT), social media platforms, audio sources, and video sources. Data analytics pools all relevant information to prevent siloing, segregate data sections and prevent them from being included in your data analysis. Pooling data ensures your data analyst software provides accurate, comprehensive reports using all the available information.

For example, suppose your company designs cutting-edge diagnostic equipment for healthcare providers. Your intent could be to identify the diagnostic equipment that will have the highest level of demand in the next decade. Still, if you base your development decisions solely on cardiac disease statistics, you may overlook the need for diagnostic tests for ovarian cancer.

Data Analysis Can Improve Workplace Safety

Improve Workplace Safety

Data analytics use current and historical information to identify patterns, and with machine learning capabilities, data analytics produce actionable insights companies can use to predict future events. For example, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is responsible for monitoring businesses throughout the United States. OSHA implements safety protocols and determines how to improve workplace safety. Their protocols draw from historical data and predictive analytics that help them identify risks to workers in all industries, including the healthcare industry, construction industry, and retail industry. Employers and employees may be required to take an OSHA certification program taught by a certified OSHA trainer to ensure they’re familiar with industry safety standards and take appropriate actions to reduce the risk of workplace accidents.

Data Visualization Makes It Easy To Understand Reports

Easy To Understand Reports

Data visualization refers to presenting data in a visual format. Forms of data visualization include charts, graphs, and maps. For example, suppose a computer company wants to demonstrate the current market share of 2-in-1 computers, desktop computers, tablets, and laptops. In that case, they could use a pie chart to illustrate how much of the current computer sales market each product yields. By comparison, a healthcare company may use maps to illustrate the spread of a virus and demonstrate which regions in a country or continent are at the most significant risk of infection. Data visualization turns raw data into a clear visual picture that’s easy to understand.

Data Analytics Can Increase Profits

Increase Profits

Data analytics convert unstructured data into useful information, and this information can reduce operating costs and increase company profits. For example, your data analysis can evaluate decades of consumer buying patterns and use this information to identify how consumer demand is changing and what products are still in demand. Companies can apply these insights when making business decisions about what products to develop and whether they should increase or decrease the production of specific goods. This prevents companies from investing time and resources into products that won’t sell and ensures companies prioritize goods in demand.

Data analytics can also evaluate customer service protocols to determine which strategies effectively increased customer satisfaction rates. Ensuring customer satisfaction can increase profits because your business is more likely to retain satisfied customers.

Predictive Analytics Enable Companies To Anticipate Operating Issues

Anticipate Operating Issues

Predictive analytics is a facet of data analytics. Predictive analytics relies on patterns of historical data to anticipate future developments. While predictive analytics can drive product development and identify potential safety hazards in your worksite, predictive analytics can also improve operations. For example, with predictive analytics, you can invest in predictive maintenance before equipment fails or anticipate supply issues that could affect production, enabling you to find alternative suppliers or resources you can use to maintain production schedules.

Data analytics is a valuable resource for all industries because companies can use data analytics to access real-time information relevant to their operations. Data visualization converts analyzed data into visual displays that are easy to understand, making the information accessible to everyone in your company. Companies can use the insights from data analytics to improve workplace safety, anticipate product demand, and prevent equipment failures. With data analytics, your business can thrive in the current marketplace.

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