From Freezing Cold to Room Temperature: the Advancements of Genetic Storage

  https://news.mit.edu/2024/scientists-preserve-dna-amber-polymer-0613

Storing DNA already is more of a difficult process. Not completely impossible, but there are very specific ways that it has to be stored before it is deemed useless. Storing it now, takes time and money, both of which are limited. The use of cryogenics was a massive advancement for DNA storage but it is mildly outdated. DNA, and its enzymes are dependent on the temperatures of the freezer, if it is not cold enough, the entire preservation process would have been for nothing. Not completely ruined, but not usable to its full extent. Not to mention that the freezing process can only hold so much DNA, it would take a while to even decide what is worth keeping. 

With the advancements of technology and science, there have been more modern ways to preserve entire strands of DNA. By using a cross-link styrene polymer, scientists may have found a new way to store more information and enzymes that can be shelf stable while kept at room temperature. Taking inspiration from the hit movie Jurassic Park, scientists at MIT have called their method Thermoset-REinforced Xeropreservation -or- T-REX for short. Because it is still a more modern study, there is no telling of how long genetic information can be stored. Scientists are still testing out ways to remove the data without causing harm to the ones working on the project AND without ruining the structure or information of the DNA. By forming a solid made of polystyrene, scientists have found they may no longer need to use silica or the hazardous hydrofluoric acid (to remove DNA), they can add cysteamine to remove strands from the polymer without causing more damage. 

Although research for this specific project seems to be in the beginning stages, there have been major finds that are incredibly interesting. As opposed to the -20 Celsius in the freezer, this more researched polystyrene can keep information safe at 75 C (167Farhenheit). I can't wait to hear more about this project and the advancements that come along with it. 

once again taking my own work from another blog, not stealing anyone else's 

https://cen.acs.org/biological-chemistry/dna/Storing-DNA-amber-like-polymer/102/web/2024/06