When Genomic Data Meets Homomorphic Encryption

 

When Genomic Data Meets Homomorphic Encryption

 

Balancing Privacy and Utility with FHE

 

Genomic data is poised to transform healthcare—driving breakthroughs in personalized treatment, disease prevention, and beyond.

However, genomic information is one of the most sensitive forms of personal data.

So how can we unlock its full potential without compromising privacy?
DESILO’s Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) offers a powerful solution.
 

 

💡 What Is Genomic Data?

 

Genomic data contains information about the structure and function of an organism’s entire genome.

It includes DNA sequences, regulatory elements that control gene expression, and the interactions between genes and proteins.

This data fuels genomic data science—an interdisciplinary field combining genetics, computational biology, and statistical analysis.

In practice, scientists use genomic data to identify disease-related mutations, understand how they function, and discover new therapeutic approaches.
 
 

✅ What Is Homomorphic Encryption?

 

Homomorphic Encryption (HE) is an encryption method that allows computations to be performed directly on encrypted data.

The output is another encrypted value, which, when decrypted, matches the result of operations performed on the original plaintext data.

With HE, organizations can process, analyze, and even outsource encrypted data—such as to the cloud—without ever exposing it.
This makes statistical analysis, machine learning, and search possible while keeping sensitive data protected end-to-end.

In highly regulated industries, HE opens the door to secure multi-party data collaboration without privacy risks.
 
 

✅ What Is FHE?

 

Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) supports unlimited, arbitrary computations on encrypted datasets.

This differs from Partially Homomorphic Encryption (PHE), which only supports a single operation type (e.g., addition or multiplication).
 

Fully Homomorphic Encryption
 
 
 

Why Is Genomic Data Protection Non-Negotiable?

 

Genomic data can reveal deeply personal biological details—
including disease predispositions, physical traits, and even family history.

This makes stringent privacy safeguards non-negotiable.

Global data protection frameworks like GDPR enforce strict requirements for handling such sensitive information.
 
 

What Does Homomorphic Encryption Enable?

 

DESILO’s FHE technology delivers four mission-critical capabilities:

1. Secure Multi-Institution Collaboration
       - Share and analyze encrypted data across organizations
       - Conduct joint research without exposing raw datasets

2. End-to-End Privacy Protection
       - Keep data encrypted at every stage
       - Only authorized parties can decrypt and view results

3. Simplified Compliance
       - Meet strict privacy regulations such as GDPR
       - Reduce compliance risk in sensitive domains

4. Trustworthy, Noise-Resistant Analytics
       - Mitigate technical and biological noise
       - Deliver objective results in a neutral computing environment
    
    
    

Real-World Use Case: Secure Genomic Data Analysis with FHE

 

For example, Company A—a Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) genetic testing provider—partners with hospitals to analyze genetic risk factors for various diseases.

Because privacy protection is mission-critical, DESILO implemented an FHE-based solution:

1. Data Collection
       - Hospital encrypts genomic variant data with its own secure key
       - Encrypted data is securely transmitted to Company A

2. Analysis
       - Company A calculates Minimum Allele Frequency (MAF) on encrypted data
       - All computations occur without ever decrypting the data

3. Results Delivery
       - Encrypted analysis results are sent back to the hospital
       - Hospital decrypts results to view genomic insights

This process allows Company A to generate valuable insights from sensitive SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) data without ever accessing or exposing plaintext data.
 
 
 

A Future Built on Privacy-Preserving Innovation

 

Genomic data analysis holds the key to the future of precision medicine and advanced healthcare research.
Fully Homomorphic Encryption ensures this innovation is built on a foundation of trust, compliance, and security.

If you’d like to learn more or explore collaboration opportunities, we’d love to connect.
 

Want to learn more about DESILO’s technology or discuss potential partnership opportunities? Use the inquiry button on the bottom right to get in touch!