Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology – Measuring or testing process involving enzymes or... – Involving nucleic acid
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-05
2001-11-06
Horlick, Kenneth R. (Department: 1656)
Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology
Measuring or testing process involving enzymes or...
Involving nucleic acid
Reexamination Certificate
active
06312911
ABSTRACT:
INTRODUCTION
The present invention relates to a steganography method for concealing coded messages in DNA. The method of the invention comprises concealing a DNA encoded message within a genomic DNA sample followed by further concealment of the DNA sample to a microdot. The present invention further provides a method for the use of genomic steganography to mark and authenticate objects of interest.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Steganography is a method of achieving confidentiality of a transmitted secret message by hiding the message inside of a larger context. The secret message is hidden in such a way that someone who is not supposed to read the message does not know how to read it, and in fact does not even know it is present; but someone who is supposed to read the message possesses a key that permits him/her to detect and read the message. (1996, David Kahn, The Codebreakers by Scribner).
A steganographic technique, referred to as the “microdot” was developed by Professor Zapp in Dresden and was employed by German spies in World War II to transmit information about U.S. “atom-kernel energy” utilization (Hoover, J. E., 1946, Reader's Digest 48:1-6). Such a microdot, considered “the enemy's masterpiece of espionage,” was a greatly reduced photograph of a typewritten page, pasted over a period in an innocuous letter. By enlargement of the microdot, the secret message could be read.
There are a number of companies and associated patents describing macromolecular marking of objects. For example, Biocode Ltd (Cambridge, Mass.) employs antibody-antigen reactions (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,776,713). However, the technology revealed in the patent has, for many applications, a surprisingly low signal-to-noise ratio of perhaps 2:1-4:1.
There are also a number of patents describing DNA-based marking. However, the technologies to date employ nucleic acids labeled with agents that emit a signal when exposed to infrared radiation and DNA hybridization techniques. For example, DNA Technologies, Inc (www. dnatechnologies.com) apparently employs the labeling technique for marking (WO 99/34984), while U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,812 to Bioprobe Systems (Paris, France) describes a DNA hybridization technique for marking valuable objects.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a steganographic method for concealing coded messages in DNA. The method of the invention comprises concealing a DNA encoded message within a genomic DNA sample followed by further concealment of the DNA sample to a microdot. The present invention further provides for the use of genomic stenography to mark and authenticate objects of interest. The present invention takes advantage of the great complexity of the genome of an organism to hide a secret message in the genomic DNA.
REFERENCES:
patent: 6167518 (2000-12-01), Padgett et al.
Clelland, C.T. et al., “Hiding messages in DNA microdots”, Nature, vol. 399, pp. 533-534 (1999).
Bancroft Frank Carter
Clelland Catherine
Horlick Kenneth R.
Strzeckla Teresa
LandOfFree
DNA-based steganography does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with DNA-based steganography, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and DNA-based steganography will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2568633