The global demand for data storage is currently outpacing the world's storage capabilities. DNA, the carrier of natural genetic information, offers a stable, resource- and energy-efficient and sustainable data storage solution. In this review, we summarize the fundamental theory, research history, and technical challenges of DNA storage. From a quantitative perspective, we evaluate the prospect of DNA, and organic polymers in general, as a novel class of data storage medium.

Intercellular signaling is indispensable for single cells to form complex biological structures, such as biofilms, tissues and organs. The genetic tools available for engineering intercellular signaling, however, are quite limited. Here we exploit the chemical diversity of biological small molecules to de novo design a genetic toolbox for high-performance, multi-channel cell–cell communications and biological computations. By biosynthetic pathway design for signal molecules, rational engineering of sensing promoters and directed evolution of sensing transcription factors, we obtain six cell–cell signaling channels in bacteria with orthogonality far exceeding the conventional quorum sensing systems and successfully transfer some of them into yeast and human cells. For demonstration, they are applied in cell consortia to generate bacterial colony-patterns using up to four signaling channels simultaneously and to implement distributed bio-computation containing seven different strains as basic units. This intercellular signaling toolbox paves the way for engineering complex multicellularity including artificial ecosystems and smart tissues.