Fri Sep 20 06:06:00 UTC 2024: ## Scientists Store Entire Human Genome on ‘Superman Crystal’ for Billions of Years

**Southampton, UK** – Scientists at the University of Southampton have achieved a groundbreaking feat by storing the complete human genome on a 5D memory crystal, capable of preserving vast amounts of information for billions of years. This revolutionary technology, known as the ‘Superman crystal’, could pave the way for a permanent record of human, animal, and plant genomes.

Inspired by the iconic Pioneer plaques, which carried a message to extraterrestrial life, the researchers have developed a modern-day equivalent using nanostructured glass. This 5D crystal utilizes two optical dimensions and three spatial coordinates to encode data, offering unparalleled storage capacity and longevity.

“We know that genetic material of simple organisms can be synthesized and used to create a viable living specimen in a lab,” explained Professor Peter Kazansky, who led the research team. “This 5D crystal allows us to build an everlasting repository of genomic information, potentially enabling the restoration of complex organisms in the future.”

The crystal, capable of storing up to 360 terabytes of data, can withstand extreme conditions, including freezing temperatures and heat up to 1,000°C. To ensure its decipherability, the researchers inscribed a visual key on the crystal, revealing the universal elements, DNA bases, their molecular structures, and gene arrangement on a chromosome.

The genome-containing crystal is currently safely stored in a time capsule within an ancient Austrian salt cave, overseen by the Memory of Mankind archive. This groundbreaking achievement marks a significant step towards preserving humanity’s genetic legacy for future generations, even amidst the vast expanse of time.

While the technology to synthetically create humans from their DNA is still in its infancy, this breakthrough raises fascinating possibilities about our ability to understand and potentially restore life in the future.

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