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Directly Encrypting DNA Sequences for Secure DNA Storage via Automata Cryptography
IEEE Transactions on Nanobioscience
|May 20, 2026
Summary
This study introduces DNA-AC, a novel method for encrypting DNA data sequences. DNA-AC enhances data security for DNA storage by using sequence-level encryption, improving randomness and resistance to attacks.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Cryptography
- Data Storage
Background:
- DNA data storage offers high density and longevity but lacks robust security.
- Current bit-level encryption methods are incompatible with DNA encoding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a novel sequence-level encryption method for secure DNA data storage.
- To address the incompatibility of existing encryption with DNA encoding.
Main Methods:
- Developed DNA data storage with Automata Cryptography (DNA-AC).
- Implemented sequence-level encryption via base diffusion and rotation.
- Ensured uniform and random base distribution for enhanced security.
Main Results:
- DNA-AC achieved high key space and information entropy near 2.
- Demonstrated strong resistance to attacks with a Number of Bases Change Rate (NBCR) of 75% and Bases Average Changing Intensity (BACI) of 42%.
- Supported parallel processing for high-throughput DNA synthesis and sequencing.
Conclusions:
- DNA-AC provides a secure, high-performance, and scalable solution for DNA storage encryption.
- The method enhances data security and is compatible with DNA encoding.
- DNA-AC shows potential as an ideal encryption approach for DNA storage devices.
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