Cryptography with DNA binary strands

Biotechnological methods can be used for cryptography. Here two different c ryptographic approaches based on DNA binary strands ale shown. The first ap proach shows how DNA binary strands can be used for steganography, a techni que of encryption by information hiding, to provide rapid encryption and de cryption. It is shown that DNA steganography based on DNA binary strands is secure under the assumption that an interceptor has the same technological capabilities as sender and receiver of encrypted messages. The second appr oach shown here is based on steganography and a method of graphical subtrac tion of binary gel-images. II can be used to constitute a molecular checksu m and can be combined with the first approach to support encryption. DNA cr yptography might become of practical relevance in the context of labelling organic and inorganic materials with DNA 'barcodes'. (C) 2000 Elsevier Scie nce Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.