RFS-codec: A Novel Encoding Approach to Store Image Data in DNA

DNA data storage is a promising technology that utilizes computer simulation and offers high-density and durable digital information storage. It is challenging to store massive image data in a small amount of DNA without losing the original data since nonspecific hybridization errors occur frequently and severely affect the durability of stored data. This work proposes a novel approach (RFS-codec) comprising an image fraction strategy and an innovative codec method to split and encode image data into DNA storage, respectively. The fraction strategy contributes by delivering a cost-effective solution for image storage in DNA. The codec method offers an encryption mechanism to convert binary data into DNA bases by avoiding hybridization errors and satisfying the critical bio-coding constraints responsible for DNA storage durability. The robustness of RFS-codec is computed with GC and homopolymer constraints. Experimentally, different image data are efficiently encoded and decoded successfully with 1.8 bit/nt average density. RFS-codec's results demonstrate substantial advantages in constructing cost-effective, scalable, and durable DNA data storage.