DNA Data Storage Architecture via Ligation of Dynamic DNA Bytes

Abstract

The explosive growth of digital data is overwhelming conventional storage media, creating an urgent need for more efficient solutions. DNA, with its ultra-high density and long-term stability, emerges as a promising medium; however, most current implementations remain static and archival, limiting practical utility. To address this limitation, a modular DNA data storage system built upon dynamic DNA bytes (DynaBytes)—pre-fabricated DNA segments that can be ligated into reconfigurable information units—is presented. Within this DynaByte system, core, functional, and control DynaBytes are organized to implement a molecular file system, enabling the storage of 210,776 bits (26,347 bytes) of digital information with demonstrated CRUD (Create-Read-Update-Delete)-like operations, hierarchical access, and nanopore-based real-time retrieval. Robust data recovery is achieved under ∼100x error-prone sequencing through streamlined error correction and fuzzy decoding. By relying on in vitro ligation of standardized components, the DynaByte system reduces cost, scales efficiently, and supports interactive, rewritable data storage. These features advance DNA storage beyond passive archiving toward a reconfigurable framework, opening new possibilities for dynamic, practical, and large-scale DNA-based data systems.