Sequential DNA Coding for Programmable Information Encryption

DNA molecules, with highly variable sequences and inherent programmability, emerge as a promising material for next-generation information storage and data encryption. However, due to the singular encryption method or limited randomness of the secret key, current encryptions remain vulnerable to brute-force attacks and the need for enhanced information security persists. This study introduces a programmable encryption strategy based on long-chain DNA synthesis and sequential encoding. The proposed hairpin-mediated primer exchange reaction (HAMER) system enables the generation of DNA keys and the recording of encoded information. Ultimately, encrypted text and image data can be decoded and retrieved through sequencing with customized access based on user permissions. This approach positions DNA as a high-performance information material and establishes a programmable encryption framework, offering strong potential to meet the confidentiality, integrity, and availability demands of future information security systems.