InfoBiology by printed arrays of microorganism colonies for timed and on-demand release of messages

Abstract

This paper presents a proof-of-principle method, called InfoBiology, to write and encode data using arrays of genetically engineered strains of Escherichia coli with fluorescent proteins (FPs) as phenotypic markers. In InfoBiology, we encode, send, and release information using living organisms as carriers of data. Genetically engineered systems offer exquisite control of both genotype and phenotype. Living systems also offer the possibility for timed release of information as phenotypic features can take hours or days to develop. We use growth media and chemically induced gene expression as cipher keys or "biociphers" to develop encoded messages. The messages, called Steganography by Printed Arrays of Microbes (SPAM), consist of a matrix of spots generated by seven strains of E. coli, with each strain expressing a different FP. The coding scheme for these arrays relies on strings of paired, septenary digits, where each pair represents an alphanumeric character. In addition, the photophysical properties of the FPs offer another method for ciphering messages. Unique combinations of excited and emitted wavelengths generate distinct fluorescent patterns from the Steganography by Printed Arrays of Microbes (SPAM). This paper shows a new form of steganography based on information from engineered living systems. The combination of bio-and "photociphers" along with controlled timed-release exemplify the capabilities of InfoBiology, which could enable biometrics, communication through compromised channels, easy-to-read barcoding of biological products, or provide a deterrent to counterfeiting.biotechnology | infochemistry | information technology T he intrinsic high information content and information flow in biological systems has the potential to be used to translate nonbiological genetically encoded information into an easily read phenotypic signal. In this context, genetically engineered systems are of particular utility because they enable exquisite control of both genotype and phenotype (1). Here we describe the use of living organisms as the carriers of encoded messages. Phenotypic features have previously been used as cipher keys for the identification of individuals. Biometric ciphers, such as fingerprint, iris, and retinal scans, are examples of ways in which the unique phenotypic characteristics of individuals can be used to control access to facilities or data (2). Although biometrics have found their way into "real-world" applications, biometric ciphers only function as cipher keys and do not play a role in the storage, transmission, or encoding of data. Examples of information embedded in biological systems include the insertion of synthetic data-encoding DNA (nonprotein coding) for trademark and watermarking purpose (3, 4) and for long-term information storage (5-8). Although such systems seem convenient for high-density applications of data storage, decoding high-density information from nonprotein coding DNA requires sophisticated sequencing capabilities for data readout.We have previously employed chem...

A microfluidic biodisplay

“…A previous demonstration of integrating an E. coli arsenic biosensor in a microfluidic device was limited to a single culture, employed a complex scheme that decoupled culturing from measurement, and used a research-grade fluorescent microscope for readout 32 . A scheme called InfoBiology was used for the transmission of information using arrays of bacterial cells spotted on microtiter sized agar plates 33 . 144 colonies of a handful of strains were spotted in this scheme, but lacked integration with a microfluidic device for cell culturing and environmental sampling.…”

Biomolecular Finite Automata

“…DNA molecules hold many advantages such as vast parallelism, immense information density, high chemical stability, and energy efficiency, thus serving as a promising tool for image encryption. Although DNA was demonstrated to be useful for steganography and encryption of text [37][38][39][40][41][42], no molecular encryption of images has yet been tested.…”

Message in a molecule

“…Unlike its predecessor414243, however, or any other fluorescent probe that responds to several analytes2444 or an analyte group43, m-SMS was designed to operate as a universal sensor that can discriminate among a vast number of distinct chemical species. We show that this property not only distinguishes m-SMS from other types of fluorescent molecular sensors, but also from other chemical security systems45678910111213141516171819202122272829303132333435363738394041 by enabling it to function as a molecular cipher device that can convert distinct chemical structures into unique encryption keys. In this way, the system can be used not only to hide the data (steganography), but also to encrypt and decrypt it (cryptography), as well as provide password protection when a higher level of security is needed.…”

“…A significant improvement in the ability to secure information by chemical means has been achieved with the development of molecular and biomolecular steganographic systems, in which specific chemical stimuli trigger the appearance of text and images. These data can be created by various sources, such as fluorescent materials456789101112, bacteria13, antibodies14, photonic crystals15, NMR chemical shifts16 and molecular computing systems17181920. Another important advantage of using molecular steganography systems, namely, their small scale, has also been demonstrated by the ability to conceal messages within individual DNA strands21.…”