Scientists at Harvard University have edited bacteria using the CRISPR genome editing tool to store data , which can also then be passed down to the next generation . When compared to storage on a computer hard drive , the equivalent of just 30 to 100 bytes of data was stored . As Jeff Nivala pointed out: “The Cas1-Cas2 complex is an integrase (inserts spacers of DNA into the genome), while Cas9 is a nuclease (cuts the genome).” However , this was a significant improvement on a previous system , based on a different technique was able to store the equivalent of 11 bits . The scientists say the development could be a basis for a system that could monitor molecular events such as a cell changing from a healthy to disease state or to record an external environmental presence such as a chemical or toxin .
Scientists at Harvard University have edited bacteria using the CRISPR genome editing tool to store data , which can also then be passed down to the next generation . When compared to storage on a computer hard drive , the equivalent of just 30 to 100 bytes of data was stored . However , this was a significant improvement on a previous system , based on a different technique was able to store the equivalent of 11 bits . The scientists say the development could be a basis for a system that could monitor molecular events such as a cell changing from a healthy to disease state or to record an external environmental presence such as a chemical or toxin .