Nature Journal Cover

Scientists believe that storing information in the DNA of living bacteria holds the potential for next-generation data storage. DNA may be an attractive source for storing information as it is a thousand times denser than contemporary storage devices. This project involved the creation of an editorial illustration for a journal cover to attract the interest of the educated lay public to read about the corresponding research article. The work features an E. coli bacterium and several scientists in a laboratory environment. The bacterium is dissected as if the scientists are actively extracting and editing information stored within the DNA. This scene includes a variety of storage and electronic components such as computers, circuitry, filing cabinets, and USB-like flagella.