DNA data storage startup expands into DNA computing, too

StartupCatalogalready knewDNA could be used to store data.

Now, the company is setting out to use life’s genetic molecules for data processing, too.

The Boston-based company doesn’t expect its products to replace general purpose computing hardware.

Instead, the company wants to accelerate specific jobs, such as fraud detection or seismic data processing.

DNA computing is one of several radical new ideas emerging from a computing industry struggling to deliver faster chips.

To store and retrieve data, you communicate with chemical reactions.

“I’m going to put a beaker of DNA on the shelf.

I’m going to infuse it with a molecular load of computational elements,” Turek said.

Standard genome sequencing equipment can read the stored data.

The cost and speed ofDNA sequencing equipment has steadily improvedfor years.

Startup Catalog’s plan spans years, and so far the company has research partners more than customers.

Hanwha Impact Partnersled the funding round.