STONY BROOK, NY -- Applied DNA Sciences and a US government agency have launched a pilot program to show the logistic facility of DNA marking to block counterfeit microchips in mission-critical government supply chains.

Applied DNA Sciences, a provider of DNA-based anti-counterfeiting technology, is marking microchips with botanical DNA taggants to ensure authenticity and guard against counterfeiting. The science of DNA authentication has been reviewed by the U.S. Government (Department of Energy) and several non-US governments, which reportedly have independently found that DNA taggants cannot be counterfeited and provide forensic proof of provenance. Technical efficacy has already been proven in commercial supply.

"There is a significant opportunity for APDN to address secure parts standards across the entire semiconductor industry," said Dr. James Hayward, APDN CEO and president, in a press release.

"I feel that DNA marking provides the basis of a universal, forensic solution to any diverse supply chain," said Vice Admiral (ret.) Edward Straw. "While this first electronics focused pilot program is designed to safeguard microchips, the versatility of this technology allows for easy transferability to other commodity areas ranging from fasteners and o-rings to textiles and pharmaceuticals."

The process has been used extensively in other industries for brand protection, counterfeit prevention, and, in the case of cash-in-transit, criminal prosecution and the deterrence of violent crime, Applied DNA said.

CIRCUITS ASSEMBLY spoke with the company about its technology in February.

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