DNA stored on a crystal could bring humanity back to life if we ever go extinct.
DNA stored on a crystal could bring humans back from extinction (c) University of Southampton
A team from the University of Southampton have used lasers to store the DNA information for an entire human on the crystal, which is capable of surviving for billions of years and does not degrade over time.
The 5D crystal is also able to withstand massive forces, extreme temperatures and "exposure to cosmic radiation".
The experts are hopeful that their findings could be used to preserve the DNA stored on plant and animal species that are threatened with extinction.
Lead researcher Professor Peter Kazansky said: "We know from the work of others that genetic material of simple organisms can be synthesised and used in an existing cell to create a viable living specimen in a lab.
"The 5D memory crystal opens up possibilities for the other researchers to build an everlasting repository of genetic information from which complex organisms like plants and animals might be restored should science in the future allow."