The JPEG Committee has decided to explore efficient image coding approaches for applications where DNA is used as storage support. One such application is the long-term preservation of media content. Because of its past successful history of offering efficient image and image sequence formats for storage and archival applications, the JPEG committee is well-positioned to address standardization challenges related to multimedia content efficient representations and, in particular, for image and image sequences in the context of DNA storage.

As a minimum, the JPEG committee could launch activity to convert its existing image coding formats from compressed binary representation to compressed “AGCT” quaternary representation. Standardized image coding approaches along with appropriate tools such as error resiliency and associated metadata, particularly suited to the DNA digital information storage requirements, are also good directions for JPEG to explore. As an immediate step, the DNA digital information storage applications need to be explored more in detail with particular emphasis on image and image sequences as information. They should then be prioritized in terms of time to market and maturity with efforts primarily focusing on specific use cases that can gather a critical mass of stakeholders. A first, second, third, fourth and fifth online workshops were organized to launch such an exploration.

In order to continue gathering input from stakeholders, a sixth workshop was organized on Thursday, 21 April 2022. This workshop is focused on MESA: automated assessment of synthetic DNA fragments and simulation of DNA synthesis, storage, sequencing and PCR errors.

Program

MESA: automated assessment of synthetic DNA fragments and simulation of DNA synthesis, storage, sequencing and PCR errors

• 14:00 UTC - Part 1: overview and general usage, Marius Welzel, Philipps University of Marburg, Bioinformatics group
• 14:30 UTC - Part 2: customization, management and interfacing, Michael Schwarz, Philipps University of Marburg, Distributed systems group
• 15:00 UTC - End

Proceedings

The presentations presented during the workshop are available for download here.

Video

Referencing

6th JPEG DNA Workshop Proceedings, ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG1, wg1n100155, Online, April 21st, 2022.

More information

A working draft of the findings of the JPEG DNA AHG can be found here.

JPEG DNA AHG mailing list is open to public and all stakeholders and interested parties in media technologies and applications that can benefit from DNA storage technologies are invited to join the mailing list and to take part in the activities by registering here.