Liquid crystal–guided DNA information storage: Nondestructive recovery and long-term preservation

DNA digital storage features high storage density, low power consumption, and extended digital recovery time. However, conventional DNA preservation methods suffer from limitations like low DNA loading and complex recovery processes. In this study, we develop a liquid crystal-guided DNA information preservation platform (LDIPP) assembled from diverse lengths of DNA molecules ranging from 688 base pairs to 4.8 mega-base pairs and cationic surfactants. The thermotropic LDIPP provides encoded DNA information with high density loading, thermoplasticity, antimicrobial, and anti-enzymatic properties. Notably, DNA information was nondestructively recovered by manipulating the assembly structure using specific salt solutions and bioamplified through microbial fermentation. By mineralizing inorganic crystals on LDIPP, the preservation lifetime is expected to be increased by nearly an order of magnitude at -20°C. The LDIPP platform offers enhanced DNA data loading, nondestructive recovery, and customizable macroscopic features, making it a promising option for long-term information preservation in the rapidly advancing field of DNA storage.