Dendrimeric DNA-Based Nanoscaffolded BRET-FRET Optical Encryption Keys

New types of unconventional encryption keys based on physically unclonable functions are critically needed for information security. Here we prototype such a key based on the (bio)photonic interactions of multiple donor–acceptor dyes and bioluminescent enzymes as assembled on a dendrimeric DNA nanoscaffold. The ability of this optical key to generate ∼1037 unique challenge key combinations utilizing both bioluminescence resonance energy transfer and Förster resonance energy transfer-based interrogation was demonstrated, highlighting how unique codes can be generated and exchanged by different users as shared secret keys. We discuss how alterations in dye number, placement, excitation wavelength, etc. can alter code properties in unpredictable ways.