DNA-based watermarks using the DNA-Crypt algorithm

Background: The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the application of watermarks based on DNA sequences to identify the unauthorized use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) protected by patents. Predicted mutations in the genome can be corrected by the DNA-Crypt program leaving the encrypted information intact. Existing DNA cryptographic and steganographic algorithms use synthetic DNA sequences to store binary information however, although these sequences can be used for authentication, they may change the target DNA sequence when introduced into living organisms. Results: The DNA-Crypt algorithm and image steganography are based on the same watermarkhiding principle, namely using the least significant base in case of DNA-Crypt and the least significant bit in case of the image steganography. It can be combined with binary encryption algorithms like AES, RSA or Blowfish. DNA-Crypt is able to correct mutations in the target DNA with several mutation correction codes such as the H...

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2007
• Where: BMCBI
• Authors: Dominik Heider, Angelika Barnekow
• Keywords: BMCBI 2007, DNA Sequence, Mutations, Target Dna