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Finding secret messages in DNA microdots
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Jarvis, Stephen A., Mirsky, Jason S., Peden, John F. and Saunders, Nigel J. (2000) Finding secret messages in DNA microdots. University of Warwick. Department of Computer Science. (Department of Computer Science research report). (Unpublished)
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PDF (Department of Computer Science Research Report)
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Abstract
A DNA microdot offers a novel way in which to communicate secret information. It is an extension of the more traditional microdot, a greatly reduced photograph of a secret document which replaced a full stop somewhere in an innocent-looking letter. The DNA microdot appears to be the secure modern alternative, exploiting the complexity of DNA in which a coded secret message is hidden. An enemy can only unlock the secret information by first knowing that an intercepted letter is impregnated with microdot DNA, and secondly by finding the message amongst a huge amount of background DNA used to mask the secret information. Using software developed to identify horizontally acquired DNA, we show that this apparently insurmountable task is in fact possible. With the increased speed of DNA sequencing, the information contained in the DNA microdot is far from secure.
Item Type: | Report | ||||
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Subjects: | Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA76 Electronic computers. Computer science. Computer software | ||||
Divisions: | Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Science > Computer Science | ||||
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH): | DNA fingerprinting, Computational biology | ||||
Series Name: | Department of Computer Science research report | ||||
Publisher: | University of Warwick. Department of Computer Science | ||||
Official Date: | 1 September 2000 | ||||
Dates: |
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Number: | Number 380 | ||||
Number of Pages: | 7 | ||||
DOI: | CS-RR-380 | ||||
Institution: | University of Warwick | ||||
Theses Department: | Department of Computer Science | ||||
Status: | Not Peer Reviewed | ||||
Publication Status: | Unpublished | ||||
Funder: | Wellcome Trust (London, England) | ||||
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