Zero Knowledge Proof for Multiple Sequence Alignment

Abstract

Multiple sequence alignment (MSA) is a fundamental algorithm in bioinformatics. In a situation when the alignment might need to be protected while revealing the other information such the input sequences and the alignment score, zero knowledge proof can be used. In this paper, a validator checks the consistency between the input sequence and the alignment, and between the alignment and the alignment score. The validator is written in Circom language which will be compile into a circuit. Using a zero knowledge prove system called zkSNARK, a cryptographic proof is generates for the circuit and its input. This proof demonstrates that all inputs are consistent without revealing the actual alignment.