DNAMICOur project
DNA Microfactory for Autonomous Archiving
End-to-end automated microfactory: codec, proprietary synthesis, encapsulation, retrieval and reading for long-term archival. Coordinated by Genomika.
Research foundation · 2023–2026
DNA Microfactory for Autonomous Archiving.
We started out as a three-year EIC Pathfinder research project, coordinated by UAB Genomika with partners across the EU, Switzerland and the UK, and embedded in DigNA — the European portfolio of nine DNA data-storage projects. This page keeps the public record of our research and the ecosystem around it, as we take the brand and the work forward commercially.
Our Pathfinder project
We live in a society that produces and requires more and more data every year — yet current data-storage strategies are not adequate for long-term preservation. In our Pathfinder project we proposed an autonomous solution built around a low-energy-consumption microfactory for end-to-end DNA-based data archiving: from encoding to decoding via synthesis, storage, quality control and sequencing.
Our microfactory is interoperable and future-proof thanks to technology blocks that can be modified or replaced, and it is compliant with the Open Archival Information System (OAIS) reference model (ISO 14721). To enable disaster recovery — critical for long-term storage — we developed a novel encoding scheme that produces self-contained data fragments resilient to strand-level loss.
Over three years we built the codec, synthesis chemistry, encapsulation, reader automation, and the integration with the OLOS long-term preservation system that now form the core of our commercial product. The Pathfinder project ended in September 2026; as a Genomika spin-out, we carry the technology and the team forward.
Workpackages
We organised our three years of work into six workpackages. Each carried a specific objective and a lead partner, feeding into the integrated microfactory and its dissemination.
WP1
Management
Define the organisation and provide the structure to communicate within the consortium and with external stakeholders. Maintain the tools and methods to keep track of progress and attain contractual objectives including reporting.
WP2
Architecture
Define the overall system architecture, including the data and process flows. Validate the end-to-end solution with real-world data.
WP3
Optimised writing & reading
Develop universal encoding strategies to optimise the write process and minimise the storage space (number of nucleotides) used. Improve readout through sequencing optimisation.
WP4
Microfactory and sample processing
Develop and optimise the microfactory for DNA processing and manipulation, including the smart pipette and its integration. Develop and integrate autonomous synthesis, preparation and sequencing steps. Integrate within the OLOS long-term preservation system.
WP5
Exploitation and dissemination
Cover dissemination (website, publications, public relations, open science, Data Management Plan) and exploitation (IP, stakeholder meetings and interface).
WP6
Portfolio activities
Strengthen prospects for successful completion and the initial steps toward market by developing synergies and collaborations with the other projects funded under the 2022 EIC Pathfinder challenge on DNA-based digital data storage — the DigNA portfolio.
Publications & deliverables
Our peer-reviewed papers and public deliverables, as we reported them to the European Commission and as listed on CORDIS. Where a paper first appeared as a preprint, we link to the published version.
Publications
Highlights
SequencingOpen access
Ultra-short DNA, read reliably on standard nanopore kits
We adapted Oxford Nanopore's standard library preparation to ultra-short DNA fragments: the same core reagents, significantly better sequencing quality.
Error correction
A coding scheme built for error-prone nanopore reads
Our concatenated code and low-complexity decoder handle the insertions, deletions and substitutions in nanopore reads, and outperform state-of-the-art schemes.
DecodingOpen access
Reading DNA motifs straight from the raw signal
Motif Caller, our machine-learning model, detects whole motifs directly in raw nanopore signals and skips basecalling: more accurate, more efficient retrieval.
Archiving
Long-term DNA storage on archival standards
How long-term DNA storage can be built on established archival standards such as the OAIS reference model (ISO 14721), which our microfactory follows.
All publications
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An End-to-End Coding Scheme for DNA-Based Data Storage With Nanopore-Sequenced Reads
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Long-Term DNA Storage Based on Archival Standards
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DNA Nanostructures for Storage Architecture
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An OAIS-compliant archiving platform with DNA connector
iPRES 2026Proceedings forthcoming
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Motif caller for sequence reconstruction in motif-based DNA storage
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High-performance protocol for ultra-short DNA sequencing using Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT)
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DNA data storage: A generative tool for Motif-based DNA storage
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Survey of Information Encoding Techniques for DNA
Public deliverables
The deliverables from our first reporting period (October 2023 – September 2024) that the European Commission classed as public. We host them here as published on CORDIS.
D2.1
Framework architecture specifications
Our OAIS framework, which gives the DNA architecture its archival dimension: archiving processes adapted to DNA data storage and to the microfactory. UNIGE, March 2024.
PDF · 18 pages · 1.5 MB
D2.4
Industry 4.0 standard integration
The electromechanical interfaces, data and communication protocols, and IT structure for high data volumes that let our technology blocks and standalone instruments, such as synthesisers and nanopore sequencers, work together. HE-Arc, March 2024.
PDF · 14 pages · 0.8 MB
D2.7
Case studies, version 1
Our first case studies and validation with simulated, medical and real-world heritage data from the Digital Health 4.0 and Industry 4.0 sectors. KTU, September 2024.
PDF · 59 pages · 4.3 MB
D5.1
Data management plan
How we handle, share and preserve our research data. UNIGE, March 2024.
PDF · 8 pages · 0.7 MB
D5.2
Data management plan, first-period update
Our revised data management plan at the end of the first reporting period. UNIGE, September 2024.
PDF · 10 pages · 0.5 MB
D5.4
Logo, website and platform set-up
Our visual identity, website and social media channels. KTU, November 2023.
PDF · 21 pages · 2.0 MB
D5.5
Plan for dissemination and communication activities
How we set out to communicate our work: objectives, target groups and channels, from publications, website and social media to press, educational material and collaboration with the DNA data-storage field. KTU, March 2024.
PDF · 42 pages · 4.9 MB
Official record
- CORDIS project fact sheet: our objectives, budget and partners (grant DOI 10.3030/101115389)
- Periodic report summary, first reporting period: our own account of the first year
- All results on CORDIS: deliverables and publications as we reported them to the Commission
DigNA — the European DNA data-storage portfolio
DigNA is the umbrella name for the nine projects funded under the 2022 EIC Pathfinder Challenge on "DNA-based digital data storage". The challenge sought scalable, reliable approaches to DNA as a data-storage medium — improving read, write and edit operations, exploring alternative coding techniques and polymeric substrates, and pushing throughput, length, reliability, speed and cost well beyond the state of the art. We are one of the nine.
Portfolio projects
PEARL-DNA
Interoperable end-to-end platform
Scalable, sustainable, high-throughput technologies spanning the full DNA data-storage pipeline.
DiDAX
Computational, chemical & biotech solutions
Improved DNA data storage via in-product information, cryptography and long-term archiving approaches.
DISCO
DNA-based infrastructure for storage and computation
Joining storage and in-molecule computation into a single infrastructure stack.
Dura-store
Dynamic, ultra-stable, random-access RNA retrieval
Exploring RNA as the carrier for fast random-access molecular storage.
MIDNA
Microbe-synthesised DNA nanostructures
Display-controlled storage cartridges built from biologically produced DNA nanostructures.
HYPERION
HYPERION
Enzymatic DNA synthesis on CMOS chips
Affordable, scalable DNA writing through a very dense semiconductor integrated circuit.
NEO DNA
NEO DNA
Next-generation molecular data storage
Novel writing and reading chemistries targeting a step-change in molecular storage performance.
TEXTA-DNA
TEXTA-DNA
Text storage & retrieval in encapsulated nanofibres
High-throughput oligo synthesis and NGS for text-scale digital storage in DNA-bearing nanofibre capsules.
Cross-portfolio working groups
To structure and intensify collaboration across the portfolio, four working groups were created. Our partners take part in all four.
WG1 Technical synergies
WG2 Outreach & public engagement
WG3 Metrics, standards & roadmapping
WG4 IP protection & exploitation
Consortium
Our consortium brought together eight partners across five countries — coordinated by Genomika, with academic and industrial participants and associated partners in Switzerland and the United Kingdom, covering codec, chemistry, hardware, and archival integration.
Project coordinator
Project partners
HELICES
Helices Biological Photolithography GmbH
Austria
