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THE CAMBRIDGE STATISTICS DISCUSSION GROUP Tuesday 26th November 2019 7:15 for 7:45 The Statistical Laboratory, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, Wilberforce Road, Cambridge, CB3 0WB How feasible is DNA as a long-term digital storage system? Nick Goldman European Bioinformatics Institute Abstract: The recent exponential growth in digital data production has led to work looking at new ways to store vast amounts of such data for long term future use which have increased durability compared to mainstream storage solutions. This talk presents a proof-of-principle study into the feasibility of DNA as a long-term digital information storage medium. This project presented a number of good scientific challenges, and is accessible to a wide audience. Speaker: Nick Goldman began working at the European Bioinformatics Institute in 2002 attaining the role of senior scientist in 2009. Nick’s past work has been on maths, stats and algorithmics of the analysis of genomics data, with particular emphasis on studying evolution. This has included everything from technical notes on the use of maximum likelihood for inferring evolutionary trees and for estimating the strength of natural selection acting on protein-coding DNA sequences, through to co-authorship of 'classic' papers reporting the initial sequencing and analysis of important model organism genomes (e.g. mouse, gorilla). Directions: The main entrance is reached from Clarkson Road by going along the footpath to the right of the Newton Institute, and turning left through the gatehouse towards the main building (Pavilion A), which has a glass front and a curved grassed roof. The main entrance is in the middle of the glass front. Coffee before the talk will be in the common room in Pavilion D, and the talk will be in Meeting Room 4 in Pavilion A. Free parking is available after 5pm on Clarkson and Wilberforce Roads. Provisional Next Meetings (2020): 3rd February – Oliver Exton (Economics) on 'The impact of uncertainty on trade agreements between the UK and EU'. 27th February – Meredith Crowley (Economics) on 'Invoicing and Pricing-to-market: Evidence from UK Exports/Imports Transactions'. 23rd April – Peter Treasure (National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service). 7th May – Allègre Hadida (Judge Business School). 6th October – Rod Jones (Chemistry). Supper: Some members eat regularly in the University Centre before each meeting at 5-45pm. Feel free to join them. Subscriptions: of 1 pound are now due for attending the 2019-2020 session. Secretary: Peter Watson, MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, 15 Chaucer Road, Cambridge CB2 7EF; telephone 01223 769479; E-mail [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>. Slides and .mp3 files of old talks: http://www.mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk/people/peter.watson/csdg.html You may leave the list at any time by sending the command SIGNOFF allstat to [log in to unmask], leaving the subject line blank.