ArticleApplied biosafety : journal of the American Biological Safety Association2024
Substitution Attacks: A Catalyst to Reframe the DNA Manufacturing Cyberbiosecurity Landscape in the Age of Benchtop Synthesizers.
Article in Applied biosafety : journal of the American Biological Safety Association, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Improving governance in the age of synthetic biology, artificial intelligence, and diverging threats.Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology · 2026Article
- CRISPR Treatments for AI-Designed Synthetic Viruses: Rapid Programmable Countermeasures for Emerging and Engineered Viruses.Viruses · 2025Review
- Why implementation gaps could undermine synthetic nucleic acid oversight.Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
2 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: The advent of easy-to-use benchtop DNA synthesizers has ushered in a transformative era in biotechnology, extending the capabilities of DNA synthesis to nonspecialists. However, this revolution in access to this technology exposes several vulnerabilities, notably in the form of substitution attacks. These attacks exploit the intricate interplay between the digital domain of DNA sequences and the physical reality of synthesis instruments, posing substantial threats to biosecurity. Content: This article delves deeply into the dynamic and multifaceted landscape of cyberbiosecurity, specifically emphasizing a novel attack vector that evades traditional screening algorithms. To achieve this, the article explores algorithmic approaches designed to screen DNA sequences, shedding light on the vulnerabilities exposed by substitution attacks and recontextualizing the cyberbiosecurity actor landscape in the context of the entire DNA manufacturing process. Summary: The exploration of cyberbiosecurity brings existing vulnerabilities in DNA screening algorithms to light and sets the stage for future research and policy considerations. By emphasizing opportunities for a comprehensive, multipronged approach rooted in end-to-end practical DNA manufacturing, this study provides a foundation for advancing both knowledge and strategies in the realm of cyberbiosecurity. Recommendations: This article serves as a clarion call for increased vigilance and innovation in navigating the intricate landscape of cyberbiosecurity. Effectively understanding and mitigating substitution attacks is necessary to safeguard the integrity of synthesized genetic material, particularly in the context of the democratization of DNA synthesis technology.
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Registered trials
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