DNA-based barcoding for identification of Army materiel

In order to address its urgent need to track and identify critical material, the Army is in need of a DNA based barcoding system that would enable unforgible, unambiguous and easily readable system for labeling and tracking military material. To meet this need, ChromoLogic proposes to develop a new reagent-free DNA barcode and reader (RDB) system. This proposed system is based on rapidly identifying (under 10 seconds) the sequence of a DNA barcode by means of dielectrophoretic mass sorting that requires no contact with the DNA material or the use of any reagents. The low-cost (<$2/tag) RDB system is based on extensive expertise of the PI in dielectrophoresis based biological analysis and a thorough understanding in DNA manipulation and instrumentation expertise of ChromoLogic and its partners. In Phase I, ChromoLogic will demonstrate the feasibility of the RDB system by building a set of tags and a prototype reader. The inexpensive, reagent-free, unforgible, unambiguous and easily readable format of RDB will be demonstrated to the Army by the end of Phase I. In Phase II, ChromoLogic will develop a complete prototype system with a custom graphical user interface designed for rapidly transitioning the system to the Army.