Highly Charged Triblock Bottlebrush Copolymers: Controlled Self-Assembly Into Adaptive Porous Microspheres for Dynamic DNA Data Storage

Abstract

DNA encapsulation is crucial for stable, long-term digital data storage, addressing the global data explosion. Current chemical encapsulation and release methods are slow and hazardous, hindering the frequent access needed for dynamic “warm data” storage. Supersoft elastic porous microspheres are developed to overcome this challenge that facilitates rapid DNA encapsulation and release through seamless transitions between closed and open-pore states. This alternative strategy allows for real-time data manipulation, cutting loading and retrieval times from days to just minutes. The encapsulation significantly enhances DNA stability by forming a protective polymeric barrier against environmental degradation, achieving lifetimes of up to 577 years at 4 °C, far superior to dehydrated DNA without protection. The interconnected nanopores, enriched with positive charges, facilitate an extraordinary storage capacity of 18 EB g−1. Moreover, the adaptive porous microspheres are prepared via controlled self-assembly of highly charged triblock bottlebrush copolymers, which is straightforward and scalable for low-cost data storage.