Long term DNA storage evaluation and methodology

Abstract

DNA preservation over the long term is a considerable problem for many fields that still lack a viable, cost-effective, long-term solution. The considerable amount of genetic material that is currently aging in facilities around the world continues to slowly degrade over time. New discoveries are being made based on genetic material recovered from ancient specimens, and new technologies are looking to store metadata in DNA; but all face this eventual problem of long-term stability. There is no “magic bullet” for preventing the various forms of DNA damage that accumulate over time, and all current technological solutions have tradeoffs. Each method of preparation, storage, and processing is chosen with the immediate downstream application as the priority, and all have shortcomings for overall preservation. Costs and space requirements continue to rise as more material is continuously accumulated, and furthermore, DNA damage studies often extrapolate their results into the future, giving models that may not be accurate. In this study, I investigate current methods and propose a potential new approach to address the problem. [...]