British scientists have achieved a groundbreaking feat by encoding the complete human genome onto a 5D memory crystal. This innovative storage solution, developed by a team at the University of Southampton’s Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC), promises to offer a blueprint for resurrecting humanity from potential extinction thousands of years into the future.
Beyond preserving human genetic material, the 5D crystal can also store the genomes of endangered species, both plants and animals. According to the university, this data storage medium can endure for billions of years, even under high temperatures, without any data degradation. “The crystal is equivalent to fused quartz, one of the most chemically and thermally durable materials on Earth,” the statement revealed.
Unmatched durability
cm2In a remarkable achievement, the 5D memory card was recognized in 2014 as the most durable data storage medium, earning a Guinness World Record. “It can withstand the high and low extremes of freezing, fire, and temperatures of up to 1,000 Celsius. The crystal can also withstand a direct impact force of up to 10 tons per cm² and is unchanged by long exposure to cosmic radiation,” the university noted.
Innovative data encoding
Under the leadership of Professor Peter Kazansky, the University of Southampton team used ultrafast lasers to engrave data into nano-structured gaps within silica meticulously. Unlike traditional 2D data encoding, this method employs two optical dimensions and three spatial coordinates, hence the ‘5D’ designation.
Despite the crystal’s capabilities, current technology does not allow for the synthetic reproduction of humans, animals, or plants solely from genetic information. However, Professor Kazansky remains optimistic. “We know from the work of others that genetic material of simple organisms can be synthesized. The 5D memory crystal opens up possibilities for other researchers to build an everlasting repository of genomic information from which complex organisms might be restored,” he explained.
This pioneering work heralds a new era in data storage and preservation, potentially safeguarding the genetic blueprints of life for generations to come.