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Title: Yeast Surface Display of Protein Addresses Confers Robust Storage and Access of DNA-Based Data
Background/Objectives: The potential of DNA as an information-dense storage medium has inspired a broad spectrum of creative systems. In particular, hybrid biomolecular systems that integrate new materials and chemistries with DNA could drive novel functions. In this work, we explore the potential for proteins to serve as molecular file addresses. We stored DNA-encoded data in yeast and leveraged yeast surface display to readily produce the protein addresses and make them easy to access on the cell surface. Methods: We generated yeast populations that each displayed a distinct protein on their cell surfaces. These proteins included binding partners for cognate antibodies as well as chromatin-associated proteins that bind post-translationally modified histone peptides. For each specific yeast population, we transformed a library of hundreds of DNA sequences collectively encoding a specific image file. Results: We first demonstrated that the yeast retained file-encoded DNA through multiple cell divisions without a noticeable skew in their distribution or a loss in file integrity. Second, we showed that the physical act of sorting yeast displaying a specific file address was able to recover the desired data without a loss in file fidelity. Finally, we showed that analog addresses can be achieved by using addresses that have overlapping binding specificities for target peptides. Conclusions: These results motivate further exploration into the advantages proteins may confer in molecular information storage.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2403352 1901324
PAR ID:
10662693
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ;
Publisher / Repository:
MDPI
Date Published:
Journal Name:
DNA
Volume:
5
Issue:
3
ISSN:
2673-8856
Page Range / eLocation ID:
34
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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