This week, Sander Wuyts, a Ph.D. pupil from the University of Antwerp (UAntwerp) and Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) accomplished a unprecedented competitors that concerned bitcoin and DNA-related analysis. Wuyts was the primary to decipher hidden messages in a tube of DNA in a scientific problem the place he received a single bitcoin for his accomplishment.
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Storing Data In DNA
Sander Wuyts considers himself a “DNA-junkie,” and he’s a huge believer in science and know-how. Back in 2015, the European Bioinformatics Institute professor, Nick Goldman, gave a presentation on the World Economic Forum in Davos that confirmed how DNA was a wonderful methodology for storing knowledge. Goldman says that DNA can last more than present thumb drives and at present’s commonplace storage know-how.
“Unlike a memory stick, for example, DNA lasts for a long time, long after the death of the ‘owner’ — It’s also very compact: you can store an incredible amount of information in a minuscule space,” explains Goldman.
Discovering the Magic of Cryptocurrencies
Following the presentation, Goldman began a contest for college kids referred to as the “DNA Storage Bitcoin Challenge.” The competitors concerned people attempting to decipher messages in a tube of DNA, and the deadline was January 21, 2018. When Goldman launched the competition, a bitcoin was solely price a few hundred , and now the DNA contest prize was price over $11,000. At the tip of the professor’s presentation, pattern tubes have been handed out in Davos, and the tubes contained “the necessary information to claim the one bitcoin.”
Wuyts stated it was harder to get his palms on a tube of DNA for the competition, however ultimately, he obtained a pattern. The Ph.D. pupil says similar to many individuals on this planet proper now he was a huge fan of bitcoin and the prize motivated him to enter the competitors.
“In addition, like the rest of the world, I’ve discovered the magic of cryptocurrencies about half a year ago, and got excited by especially the theory behind it — Thus, when I read the following tweet, it goes without saying that I was extremely enthusiastic,” Wuyts reveals in his private weblog.
I nonetheless keep in mind myself asserting to all of my colleagues that we must always drop every thing we’re doing and begin fixing this problem — Now, simply over one month later, I’m happy to announce that I obtained certainly one of these samples, decoded the DNA and efficiently claimed the bitcoin!
Hodling the Prize Until the Time Is Right to Fund Further DNA Research
According to Wuyts a few of his colleagues organized a small hackathon utilizing DNA sequencers, a specialised instrument for studying out DNA. The pupil says after a few moments of “banging our heads against the wall” he cracked the message earlier than the deadline. Wuyts says that the message contained directions on how to declare the bitcoin, a few different notes, the emblem of the European Bioinformatics Institute, and a sketch of James Joyce. As far because the bitcoin is worried Wuyts explains that he plans on holding it till the precise time.
“To be honest, I had my doubts about the feasibility of using DNA to store data and this challenge changed that — Now I know very well that this new technology offers great opportunities, maybe even for my own future research,” Wuyts concludes.
I’m most likely going to promote it [the bitcoin] when the time is true after which use a number of the cash for my analysis. With the remainder of the cash, I can thank the colleagues who helped me and have a good time my PhD in fashion.
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