Lithuanian Startup Unveils Future Technology: Data Stored in a Molecule 

Have you ever imagined that the data storage of the future might not be servers or clouds, but a molecule? The Lithuanian startup Genomika is developing technology that makes it possible to encode information into DNA – a compact, durable, and environmentally friendly medium. On September 17–18, the company will present this innovation, along with other bold ideas for the future, at the international life sciences forum Life Sciences Baltics in Vilnius, organized by the Innovation Agency Lithuania. 

“DNA is the oldest information storage technology created by nature itself. Its advantages are longevity, sustainability, and an incredible capacity,” says geneticist and Genomika co-founder Dr. Lukas Žemaitis. 

He explains that one of the main motivations for founding the company was the desire to accelerate the arrival of genetic innovations in Lithuania. 

“At the time, I calculated that it took about five years for new technologies to become established in our country after they were created. Today, that time is clearly shortening – thanks to young scientists, returning researchers, as well as the needs of patients and society,” Dr. Žemaitis notes. 

According to Martynas Survilas, Head of the Breakthrough Department at the Innovation Agency Lithuania, Lithuania’s biotechnology sector is demonstrating growing maturity every year and is firmly positioned in the international market: 

“There are more than 300 life sciences companies operating in the country. As much as 87% of biotech production developed in Lithuania is exported to global markets, and in recent years, Lithuanian companies have also attracted multimillion-euro investments. This proves that we are not only creative but also competitive on the international stage. I believe the breakthrough technology being developed by Genomika will significantly strengthen Lithuania’s position in the field of genetics,” he emphasizes. 

A Creative Idea Tackling a Future Challenge 

In its first year, Genomika mainly focused on bringing new research and equipment to Lithuania. The team decided to reinvest its earnings into their own projects – this is how experiments with storing data in DNA molecules began. What started out of curiosity quickly revealed itself as a solution to a global problem. 

However, developing such a vision comes with inevitable challenges – both technological and communicational: “We aim to make DNA data recording as simple and cost-efficient as possible, but there’s still a lot of work ahead – from synthesis to process automation. And when we speak to the public, we often encounter misconceptions: people imagine it has to do with genome modification. In reality DNA is simply a chemical molecule that can be synthesized in a laboratory,” explains Dr. Žemaitis. 

The solutions being developed by Genomika have proven that innovations can be not only pragmatic but also creative. News about the company spread widely when they managed to encode the Lithuanian national anthem into a DNA molecule and later works by the famous composer M. K. Čiurlionis. These steps became a symbol of how science can preserve a nation’s culture and history. 

The Vision of a Biocomputer and Lithuania’s Potential 

The company’s goal is even more ambitious – to create a biocomputer. Dr. Žemaitis is convinced that breakthroughs are impossible without such bold ideas. 

“People dream of colonizing Mars – it may seem like science fiction, but the purposeful scientific research aimed at that goal is already creating innovations we can use today. Dreams serve as a compass,” he adds. 

Such ideas are inseparable from Lithuania’s identity as a small but creative country. In Dr. Žemaitis’ view, Lithuania has all the tools needed for breakthroughs. 

“Our university laboratories look like something out of a sci-fi film – filled with the latest equipment. But as we joke with colleagues – a spotless lab is actually a bad sign, because in labs where the real action happens, there’s rarely order: tables are piled with boxes, employees compete for access to instruments or even for space at the desk,” the scientist says. 

According to him, the biggest challenge is demographics: “We have many brilliant minds, but we lack enough young scientists to test and implement ideas. Few young people choose the long and often not very well-paid path of a researcher,” Dr. Žemaitis observes. 

A Biotechnology Celebration in Vilnius 

This September, Dr. Žemaitis will present Genomika’s technology at the largest life sciences forum in the Baltic States – Life Sciences Baltics. 

“This time, for the first time, we’ll present our research to an international audience – scientists, investors, potential clients. For us, it will be like litmus paper, helping us understand which direction to take next,” he says. 

According to the scientist, cooperation with foreign colleagues makes it much easier to assess one’s own strengths and find partners – and this is how innovations are born faster. 

“Engaging with international experts helps evaluate the demand for the technology across different markets. After all, the last thing you want is to create a perfect innovation that nobody needs,” Dr. Žemaitis notes. 

Life Sciences Baltics will take place on September 17–18 in Vilnius. This year, the forum will gather more than 800 life sciences experts from around the world. Participants can expect conference presentations, an exhibition, B2B meetings, startup pitches, and tours of Lithuanian biotechnology companies.