1. Nucleotide Cryptology: Hidden
Messages

2. • Encrypting with DNA Janet Page
• The Coding Dylan Goodrich
• The Chemistry Spenser Davis
• Biological Computing John Madrigal
• From Hidden Messages to Memories
HyakBarseghyan
• Amplified Natural Intelligence Miriam
Barseghyan
• The Ethics Kelsey Knox

3. Concept
We were inspired by Alan Turing’s coding and
decoding work he did for the military. We have
developed an idea to create a code out of human
DNA, insert that DNA into a cell and then insert
the cell into a individual, creating a secure way to
transfer information. The message is doubly
protected by its encryption and then by its ability
to be indistinguishable from the individual’s
normal cells. We are using Nucleotide Cryptology
to send hidden messages.

4. Encrypting with DNA
By: Janet Page

5.  In the spirit of Alan Turing, we would like to offer a
new method in which to encode messages.
 Unlike other codes, our code will be biological, and
will be encrypted in DNA itself.
 Our method involves encoding a message using
some sort of encryption with nucleotide sequences
and implanting this sequence into the body of the
messenger.
 The receiving end will know where to look for this
particular message.

6. How can we convert English into
nucleotide sequences?
 Easiest method is a simple cipher: each
English letter corresponds to a sequence of
four nucleotides
 Instead, we would like to use a cipher loosely
based on a Vigenère Cipher, which would use
4 different conversions which switch off with
every letter.

7. Sample Cipher
Encryption

8. The Coding
By: Dylan Goodrich

9. Layers of Protection
Code Existence
– Awareness of the code is likely to take a while due
to the novelty of the idea
Identifying “carriers”
– Will be difficult to determine who has the code on
their person. Could pretend to give people code
so they do not know whether or not they have it.
Reduces likelihood of betrayal or accidents

10. Layers of Protection
Location on the body
– Will be difficult to isolate location of the injected
cell colony. Could pretend to inject a carrier
multiple times to prevent them from giving away
relative location.
Primer sequence
– As discussed before the primer sequence is
needed to isolate the area of DNA that contains
the message. Can be made highly variable and
complex

11. Human Protection
Tumor Prevention
– Potential DNA code sequences will need to be
tested to make sure that it does not induce
uncontrolled proliferation within the carrier, thus
putting him at risk.
– DNA still needs to be able to allow for moderate
cell replication to ensure safety of the cells
containing the code

12. Human Protection
“Self Destruct”
– Carrier cells will need to be highly sensitive to
biological changes. If a person carrying a code
dies then the cells with the code must be
destroyed to prevent a prolonged search for them
– If the enemy knows this then this will prevent
them from killing carriers. Abuse or
malnourishment may also stress the cells into
dying, preventing these tactics against the carriers
as well.

13. The Chemistry
By: Spenser Davis

14. The Chemistry Behind
Nucleotide Cryptology
• Before the injection of code, the data must be
implemented into the genetic code of the
messenger/storage person. DNA is extracted
through a blood sample and an appropriate
locus is determined for code insertion. It is
important to choose a locus that does not
code for any vital proteins, etc. Once chosen,
the code will be inserted via PCR based site-
directed mutagenesis (picture shown below).

16. The Chemistry Behind
Nucleotide Cryptology
• The basic procedure requires the synthesis of a short
DNA primer. This synthetic primer contains the desired
mutation and is complementary to the template DNA
around the mutation site so it can hybridize with the
DNA in the gene of interest. The mutation may be a
single base change (a point mutation), multiple base
changes, deletion or insertion. The single-stranded
primer is then extended using a DNA Polymerase,
which copies the rest of the gene. The gene thus
copied contains the mutated site, and is then
introduced into a host cell as a vector and cloned.
Finally, mutants are selected.

18. The Chemistry Behind
Nucleotide Cryptology
• The original method using single-primer extension is inefficient due
to a lower yield of mutants. The resulting mixture may contain both
the original unmutated template as well as the mutant strand,
producing a mix population of mutant and non-mutant progenies.
The mutants may also be counter-selected due to presence of
mismatch repair system which favors the methylated template
DNA. Many approaches have since been developed to improve the
efficiency of mutagenesis. The mutagenesis therefore would involve
two sets of mutated primers flanking the desired region. And the
selection method we could employ would be to include a simple
antibiotic resistance gene in our mutation, then screen and select
for mutants by plating on antibiotic+ plates and selecting surviving
plaques. The DNA selected from the plaques would then be
injected into the code carrier person.

19. The Chemistry Behind
Nucleotide Cryptology
• The code decrypter would need to know the relative location of the
cells in the body for extraction. Death will causes cell mitosis to fail
and will thus ensure safe code delivery. Upon extraction of the
code, the decrypter also needs to know either the primer sequence
or the locus of interest to amplify via PCR then discover the
sequence using gene probing microarrays. The way this works is as
follows: pretend my code is AGTCGTC. This will only adhere to its
complement TCAGCAG (let's ignore sticky ends and partial
adherence for now). Microarray wells will contain randomized gene
sequences such as: AGCTAGCA, AGTCTCGA, GCTAGCT, etc. However,
only the true complement will bind to the coded sequence. It is in
this way that the decrypter can uncover the true code. With a
decryption key (cipher) already predetermined, the decrypter can
decipher the message.

21. Biological Computing
By John Madrigal

22. Moore’s Law
• Technological trend
where the amount of
transistors doubles
every 18 months
• Experts believe that we
are nearing a plateau
and eventual block of
continuing this trend

23. DNA Computing
• the use of DNA instead of
silicon chips to solve
complex mathematical
problems
• Research has been done
to find a way to move
past current computer
technology for the future
– Bacteria computer solves
Hamiltonian Path Problem

24. From Hidden Messages to
Memories: Alternative uses for
Nucleotide Cryptology
By: HyakBarseghyan

25. Memories Stored In DNA
The human brain has the ability to store and
transmit memories using images. There is a
specialized area in the brain called the
Hippocampus that is involved in the storage and
generation of memories. The way memories are
stored is still not quite understood. However, it is
speculated that visual or any other stimuli that a
person perceives is accompanied by the production
of proteins in the brain that are involved in
generation of new neuronal connections.

27. It is possible to design a gene by genetic
engineering and insert it into human cells using
ballistics. A special air pressurized gun will shoot
millions of copies of the desired gene into cells.
Some of the engineered sequence will incorporate
into the cell's genome. The inserted recombinant
DNA in the cells will be transcribed and translated
into a protein which will later be carried out from
the cell into the bloodstream and taken into the
brain, and will become involved in memory
generation and retrieval.

29. Depending on the design of the gene and its
product the person will see different images
appear in his/her imagination, starting from
known pieces of art to any other custom
generated memories. This technology will be
crucial in using human genetic programming in
information storage. Retrieval of the information
can be performed using any human subject
since the mechanism is the same from person to
person.

31. Amplified Natural Intelligence: More
Applications for Biological Coding
By: Miriam Barseghyan

32. • In our modern society technological advances
are not shocking anymore. It is expected for
various electronics to be further developed in
order to achieve better device capabilities.
However, while on the path creating Artificial
Intelligence, we tend to neglect our own
intellectual development.

33. • Behavioral modifications, particularly
education, do tend to improve the level of
human intelligence. However, this process is
slow and requires constant work. As the new
generations of computers that come out with
improved functionality, it would be possible to
create human beings with improved analytical
and logical power.

35. • In the core of the model of creation of humans with
Amplified Natural Intelligence (ANI) lies the concept of
decoding a given code (by Alan Turing) and those of
physiology and molecular biology. To achieve the
proposed goal Human Genetic Engineering (HGE) is
necessary. Genes need to be modified at an embryonic
level in order to produce functional cells postnatally.
Retroviral transfecton would be the core technique
utilized in procedure. Through this technique, extra
genes coding for Nerve Growth Factors (NGF) and
molecules guiding axonal patterning, such as molecules
from the Ephrinfamily, as well as genetic information
coding for molecules that increase neuronal synaptic
connectivity will be inserted into the embryonic
genome during the early stages of embryonic
development.

37. • The inserted code will be decoded by the
natural mechanisms of the organism to
produce exogenous molecules. These
molecules will further amplify the effects of
the endogenous molecules involved in
nervous system development. Thus,
neurogenesis along with axonal and synaptic
efficient patterning will contribute to creation
of ANI.

38. The Ethics
By: Kelsey Knox

39. “Genethics”: the idea that problems for humanity and the world
posed by the new genetic technology are novel and consequently a new kind
of ethics is needed (1)
As our project deals with inserting modified
DNA into a human cell, and then putting that
cell back in a human, ethical issues
surrounding gene technologies are a major
consideration.
1. http://bioinformatics.istge.it/bcd
/ForAll/Ethics/welcome.html
2. Photo via
http://thetechnologicalcitizen.co
m/?p=1022

40. Potential “genethical” issues
• “playing god”
• Unsure consequences
• Informed consent
• Ownership of genetic
code
• Objectification/devaluat
ion of the individual