We are thrilled to announce that CLT board member, Tom de Greef, has been awarded an ERC Proof of Concept grant worth €150,000 for his innovative project, DNACryp: DNA Encryption of Compartmentalized DNA Files. The CLT team extends its congratulations on this outstanding achievement.
Current digital data storage technologies face significant sustainability issues, with limitations in longevity, data density, and cost efficiency. DNA data storage presents a promising alternative with much higher data density and stability, yet security remains a challenge. Tom’s project, DNACryp, addresses this by developing a revolutionary molecular-level encryption method for DNA storage, employing a PCR-based random-access readout that resists automated attacks. This interdisciplinary approach will advance encryption technology and provide proof of concept through the encryption of a 1MB book, benefiting both industry and society.
The ERC Proof of Concept grants are awarded to researchers with ERC frontier research grants, enabling them to explore the commercial and societal impact of their discoveries. These grants help to push groundbreaking research towards practical innovation and application.
For more information on the grant, visit: ERC News – 2000th Proof of Concept Grant Awarded.