# European researchers build DNAMIC microfactory to archive digital data in DNA

- Published: 2026-11-06 11:42 UTC
- Section: Digital & Computing › Computers
- Tags: DNAMIC microfactory, DNA data storage, synthetic DNA archiving, University of Geneva, HES-SO, Genomika, cold storage
- URL: https://realtech.media/news/rt-4b8b637d7602641decd34460_european_researchers_build/

**Researchers from UNIGE, HES-SO, and European partners have tested an autonomous device that encodes files into synthetic DNA strands.**

![European researchers build DNAMIC microfactory to archive digital data in DNA](https://sgzwpqqelzmajkcubgkl.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/rt-media/2026/11/6961647209a60ea8.jpg)
*NASA Johnson Space Center, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain*

A European research consortium led by the University of Geneva (UNIGE), HES-SO, and the Lithuanian company Genomika has developed an autonomous microfactory called DNAMIC to encode digital data into synthetic DNA, according to EurekAlert [1]. The system was tested on the HE-Arc campus in Saint-Imier, Switzerland, where researchers archived historical watchmaking records from the Centre jurassien d'archives et de recherches économiques using an archiving tool developed by UNIGE [1]. The collaboration also includes Kaunas University of Technology, the Technical University of Munich, Kilobaser, and Imperial College London [1].

## Encoding into four nucleotides

Digital files are traditionally stored in binary format using 0s and 1s [1]. The DNAMIC system converts this binary code into a quaternary system based on the four nucleotides of DNA: adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine [1]. This translation takes into account the specific chemical properties of DNA before the microfactory synthesizes the physical nucleic acid strands [1]. The automated encoding and synthesis procedure can take several hours depending on the file [1].

## Long-term preservation without power

After synthesis, the DNA strands are sealed inside small stainless-steel capsules designed to protect the material from environmental factors such as oxygen, light, moisture, and heat [1]. Unlike standard hard drives or data centers, this method of physical storage does not require external energy once the sample is sealed [1].

The initiative was supported by European funding through the Horizon Europe programme [1]. Due to high synthesis costs, developers plan to target high-value archival data before broader commercial applications emerge [1].

## Sources

1. [EurekAlert](https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1150700)

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Source: RealTech, realtech.media — https://realtech.media/news/rt-4b8b637d7602641decd34460_european_researchers_build/