Watermarking Graph-Based Genome References
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Graph-based genome references are vulnerable to illicit reconstruction and theft due to their complexity and resource-intensive generation, making it difficult to protect ownership and prevent malicious extraction of data stored within.
Innovation Solution
Watermarking the graph with uniquely identifiable information, such as variants not found in natural genomic DNA, metadata, or insertions/deletions, to detect and prevent unauthorized copying or reconstruction, while ensuring the integrity of alignment results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If graph-based genome references are made publicly available for use with alignment tools, then accessibility and utility are improved, but vulnerability to copying and illicit reconstruction increases
Solution Approach 1:
Watermark variants are introduced into the reference graph sequence data before it is made publicly available. This preliminary embedding of unique identifiers allows the reference graph to be freely accessible while enabling later detection of unauthorized copying or reconstruction attempts.
Solution Approach 2:
The watermark variants serve as an intermediary mechanism between the reference graph owner and potential copiers. These unique sequence variants act as detectable markers that bridge the gap between providing public access and maintaining security, allowing ownership verification without restricting utility.
2Reliability
If security measures are implemented to protect reference graph data, then protection against theft is improved, but complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of implementing complex access control systems or encryption mechanisms, the patent uses simple sequence copying of unique watermark variants into the reference graph. This approach provides robust protection through data redundancy rather than system complexity—the watermark variants are copied throughout the graph structure, making detection straightforward without requiring complex security infrastructure.
3Measurement precision
If watermarking variants are introduced into the reference graph, then detectability of copying is improved, but potential interference with alignment results may occur
Solution Approach 1:
Watermark variants are strategically placed in specific locations within the reference graph where they are detectable but unlikely to interfere with legitimate alignment operations. The local quality of these variants is optimized to provide detection capability while maintaining compatibility with the alignment process, ensuring that genuine biological sequences can still be accurately matched.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention protect information stored in graph-based sequence references by “watermarking” the graph with uniquely identifiable information. The watermark identifies the graph or version thereof in a detectable but nonintrusive manner. In one embodiment, insertions and/or deletions are introduced into regions of the graph.