> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.xdnalabs.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Storing

> How DNA archives are physically preserved for decades or centuries  inert, distributed, and verifiable on-chain.

Once written, DNA data must be preserved in a form that guarantees stability across decades or centuries. Unlike conventional media that require power and maintenance, DNA archives can be stored as dry, inert material needing only basic environmental controls.

## Physical Preservation

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Encapsulation" icon="shield">
    Techniques such as silica encapsulation or lyophilization protect against
    moisture, oxidation, and temperature fluctuations. In this state, DNA can
    remain intact for centuries.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Inert at rest" icon="pause">
    Preserved DNA requires no active power, no cooling, and no periodic refresh
    cycles. It is stable until explicitly accessed.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Sample Management

A DNA archive is organized as a collection of vials or microtubes, each containing millions of identical molecules.

* **Redundant copies** can be created from the same writing process
* **Distributed storage** across multiple facilities provides disaster recovery
* **Independent verification** is possible from any copy without affecting others

## Retrieval Readiness

Although DNA archives are inert, they remain immediately accessible. A sample can be hydrated and processed for sequencing at any time. Specific subsets of identifiers can be selectively retrieved making large-scale collections more practical to use than tape or disk-based archives, which often require full sequential scans.

## Role of Operators

<Note>
  In the xDNA Labs network, specialized facilities act as custodians of DNA
  archives. Their responsibility is to safeguard physical samples and provide
  verifiable access when queries are made. On-chain proofs ensure that stored
  datasets can always be matched against their original digital commitments.
</Note>

Operators earn protocol tokens for correct custodianship and verified query execution aligning economic incentives with long-term data integrity.