Researchers at Colorado State University have developed a novel embedded cryptographic system to digitally sign and authenticate synthetic DNA. The possibility of verifying the integrity and identifying the author of signed DNA molecules will significantly increase the productivity and safety of experiments relying on synthetic DNA while allowing the developers to assert their intellectual property rights. Source code implementing the invention is proprietary and will be provided to the licensee.
The biotechnology industry heavily relies on synthetic DNA molecules to produce proteins, develop vaccines, or cure genetic diseases. Proper documentation of these molecules is critical to ensure the reproducibility and safety of the processes in which they are used. Documentation generally comes in the form of computer files in standard formats supported by bioinformatics software. However, there is no direct linkage between the DNA molecules and the files that describe them.
Keeping track of the association between a DNA molecule and the computer file describing it proves surprisingly challenging because DNA molecules are often edited at the molecular level and they can also randomly mutate on their own.
As a result, there are widespread discrepancies between the physical sequences of the molecules in circulation in the life science community (both commercial and research) and their supposed reference sequence. This situation creates reproducibility issues, slows down R&D efforts, and raises significant security and safety issues.
For more information on the field of Synthetic DNA and Cyberbiosecurity, please see the related articles listed below.
Application of Digital Signatures:
Related Articles:
JE Gallegos, et al. (2017) DNA Has Gone Digital – What Could Possibly Go Wrong?” The Conversation.
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Jean Peccoud
Diptendu Mohan Kar
Jenna Gallegos
Indrajit Ray