Src Corporation

Mary F Swartz

Adam Joseph Lowe

Garrett D Liddil

William Ryon McKay

Laura T Bortolin

A method for authenticating an item of interest. A nucleic acid tag comprised of a nucleotide-support platform attached to a first nucleic acid molecule is added to the item of interest, where information about the item of interest is contained within the first nucleic acid molecule. A portion of an item is sampled for the presence of the nucleic acid tag, where the item is potentially the item of interest. The presence of the nucleic acid tag is detected in the sample, where the presence of the first nucleic acid tag authenticates the item as the item of interest.

System and method for authentication and tamper detection using nucleic acid taggants

A nucleic acid tag comprising a nucleotide-support platform attached to a nucleic acid molecule, an odorant, and an encapsulant. Unique nucleic acid-containing tags containing an odorant are seeded at one or more geographic locations. Using odorant-detection systems, the person or object of interest is examined for the presence of one or more of the odorant, thereby revealing the presence of the seeded nucleic acids and eliminating the expense and time associated with unnecessary screening. The geographic location associated with each detected nucleic acid is used to backtrack the item's path or extrapolate a probable point of origin.

Nucleic acid-labeled tags associated with odorant

A nucleic acid tag comprising a nucleotide-support platform attached to a nucleic acid molecule, a fire retardant, and an encapsulant. Unique nucleic acid-containing tags containing a fire- or heat-protective element are seeded at one or more geographic locations. Using sequence analysis techniques, the person or object of interest is examined for the presence of one or more of the seeded nucleic acids. The geographic location associated with each detected nucleic acid is used to backtrack the item's path or extrapolate a probable point of origin.

Location analysis using fire retardant-protected nucleic acid-labeled tags

Methods for authenticating and/or detecting tampering of an item of interest using a nucleic acid tag. A nucleic acid tag comprising a nucleotide-support platform attached to a nucleic acid molecule is created or obtained and then sealed within or on the item of interest. The surface of the item of interest is sampled for the presence of the seeded tag after the item of interest has been moved from one location to another or has been stored for a period of time, during which tampering can occur and/or authentication may necessary. The presence of the tag can indicate that tampering has occurred, or that the item of interest is authentic.

A method for detecting and identifying nucleic acid tags. A nucleic acid tag comprising a nucleotide-support platform attached to a nucleic acid molecule is created or selected and then immobilized on or in an item, or seeded within an area of interest. Samples are obtained from the surface of an item that has potentially been labeled, and an initial screen is conducted using universal primers to determine which samples contain nucleic acid tag. A multiplex screen is conducted on samples testing positive for nucleic acid tag in order to identify which of a plurality of nucleic acid tags are present on or in the item of interest.

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Princeton, NJ, United States of America

Mary F Swartz