05-05-2012, 11:36 AM
XIX INTERNATIONAL SECURITY PRINTERS’ CONFERENCE
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ABSTRACT
DNA the magic code of life, the form of which was identified in 1953 as a double helix of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), is made up of two strands of four bases in varying triplets that repeat over and over in a very long molecule. It is a very complex code and can be used to identify specific human beings and to clone animals. DNA is also being used as an information carrier and as an encryption and computation device. DNA has recently been used to make an “ink” or taggant for security printing.
Now the invention of combining the DNA ink idea with Steganography, the art of hiding authentication information inside biological information, makes a good idea into a foolproof idea. With the DNA LockTM technology, there is no way to discover the hidden DNA code in the mixture without knowing the primer key code needed for the PCR analysis to identify the authentic ink. The most non-counterfeitable mark ever conceived has been made possible by this development.
The inventors have made several sample inks, printed microdots with a standard printer, sent the messages out in the mail, retrieved them and been able to confirm the validity of the ink employed.
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Summary
DNA the magic code of life, the form of which was identified in 1953 as a double helix of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), is made up of two strands of four bases in varying triplets that repeat over and over in a very long molecule. It is a very complex code, the human DNA is over 3 billion characters long. It can be used to identify specific human beings and has been used to clone animals. In a less dramatic but important application, DNA is being used as an information carrier and as an encryption and computation device. The DNA code could theoretically carry a whole written novel in one single molecule. DNA has recently been used to make an “ink” or taggant for security printing.
Now the invention of combining the DNA ink idea with Steganography, the art of hiding authentication information inside biological information, makes a good idea into a foolproof idea. With the DNA LockTM technology, there is no way to discover the hidden DNA code in the mixture without knowing the primer key code needed for the PCR analysis to identify the authentic ink. The most non-counterfeitable mark ever conceived has been made possible by this development. The inventors have made several sample inks, printed microdots with a standard printer, sent the messages out in the mail, retrieved them and been able to confirm the validity of the ink employed.
Background
The inventors, Dr. Carter Bancroft and Dr. Catherine Clelland of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine have been working in this field for many years. They were working on the computational capabilities of the DNA code. They saw the opportunity to improve on security marks in use today by putting Steganographic concepts to work in the DNA field. On November 6, 2001, US patent # 6,312,911 DNA Based Steganography was granted and assigned to the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. The name DNA LockTM is the trademark adopted for use with this technology.
What is DNA?
All forms of life, including humans, contain a molecule that carries the genetic code of that life, DNA. The form of the molecule deoxyribonucleic acid, known as DNA, was identified in 1953 (yes we are happy to be celebrating the 50th anniversary of this momentous event this year!!) by Watson and Crick is a double helix made up of two strands of four bases Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine and Thymine. These bases are found in triplets of varying sequence repeated over and over in a very long and complex code. Each polymer strand is held together by hydrogen bonds. In the linking of the two strands, A will bond to T only and C to G only. The DNA molecule in a single cell is twisted together so densely that it can only be seen by a very powerful microscope; yet it would reach over 6 feet if it could be stretched out fully.
Scientists have been able to identify differences in human DNA that show up in people with various maladies like cancer, heart disease etc. and are even finding differences that relate to personality and mental activity. Knowledge of this complicated and unique code is now leading to wonders of medical science as drugs are being developed to work around the DNA code. This field is as controversial as the development of atomic energy with equal scientific and social consequences. It has proven possible to place a selected DNA code into an animal and give the animal almost any properties you choose.
None of that makes any difference to us in the security printing field since we do not and would not use live animals or human DNA for any reason whatsoever. The DNA for inks and taggants can be a combination of cheaply manufactured synthetic DNA, plus bulk DNA from processed foods (Hardy wines uses their own wine for the DNA source), or from other plants or animals.