Digital technologies are essential in our lives and industries, yet most physical products lack embedded digital information, relying instead on external identifiers like barcodes or RFID tags. This method, while adaptable, has several intrinsic disadvantages, including the risk of forgery and potential disconnection between the product and its documentation over time. DNA technologies present a promising alternative due to their unique properties: DNA’s small size allows it to be incorporated into products without altering their appearance, and its ability to be exponentially amplified makes detection feasible even in minute quantities. However, DNA’s environmental instability presents a challenge, which can be mitigated by encapsulating DNA in materials like silica, protecting it from degradation and extending its usability.
The DiDAX Consortium has successfully demonstrated the potential of DNA as an information carrier, embedding significant volumes of data directly into products. This was exemplified by their “DNA-of-things” concept, where synthetic DNA encapsulated in silica was integrated into 3D-printed objects, enabling data retrieval to recreate the objects accurately. Moving forward, technological innovations are needed to make DNA-based data storage more affordable and widely applicable. The DiDAX project aims to address these challenges through advancements in DNA synthesis, error correction algorithms, and improved encapsulation techniques, paving the way for DNA to be used as a robust and versatile data storage medium in various products.