A code that indicated where in the frame each pixel belonged was also included. However,the researchers did not encode the order of the frames to see if the bacterial DNA captures the new information in order. In the end, each frame consisting of 104 DNA sequences was inserted into a population of bacteria cells using a process called electroporation. The cells were zapped with electricity creating pores in their membrane to allow the synthesized DNA to pass into them.
Once the DNA pieces were in the cells, the researchers relied on the gene editing system known as CRISPR to grab the free-floating pixel codes and insert them into the bacteria’s genome. CRISPR is a group of proteins and DNA that act as an immune system in some bacteria,.When a virus infects a bacterium, CRISPR cuts out part of the foreign DNA and stores it in the bacteria's own genome. The bacterium then uses the stored DNA to recognize the virus and defend against future attacks."The sequential nature of CRISPR makes it an appealing system for recording events over time," explained