Sequencing for Genetic Electronic Assurance: Counterfeit Detection for a Global Supply Chain

Securing the electronic components of the DOD is a complex challenge. In a global supply chain with thousands of distributed contractors creating high performance systems, it is critically important to ensure counterfeit components are not entering use. Chain of custody of electronic components from the time of manufacture to when the DOD takes delivery of the completed product can involve a multitude of steps, and allows for many opportunities for counterfeit components to be used. Analysis of the completed circuit boards has been adopted in order to accept or reject components that are not manufactured to specifications. DNA has been used as an electronic component tracking technology by the DOD for several years. DNA is applied to a component at the time of manufacture, and then is then re-assayed upon receipt of the completed electronics. This strategy has proven to be an effective tool for electronic authentication. Sequencing the DNA tags used in this security measure is currently performed using existing DNA sequencing methods, however there is substantial room for performance gains based on the constraints that DNA taggants provide. In response to the defined need for better sequencing technologies suited for electronic component supply chain assurances, Luna Innovations is proposing to develop a Fast Next-Gen Sequencing technology (FaNG Seq). This technology will utilize some elements of existing next-gen sequence methods, but because taggants are short defined sequences, there are many improvements Luna will develop to increase speed and accuracy, as well as decrease the total cost per sequence reaction. In Phase II Luna develop standalone systems to perform full demonstrations of DNA taggant authentications, and pursue commercialization, as well as wider adoption of taggants as a security measure to expand the market for the FaNG Seq technology.