Nucleic Acid Tag Libraries for Forgery-Resistant Product Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for authenticating valuable products using DNA barcodes are vulnerable to forgery due to advancements in DNA sequencing technology, as they rely on unique sequences that can be easily identified and replicated, lacking future-proof security.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a library of nucleic acid sequence tags with defined motifs in characteristic positions and randomized sequences, ensuring a unique combination that is difficult to replicate or forge, using a balanced distribution of nucleotides to enhance security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If unique DNA barcodes are used for product authentication, then identification capability is improved, but security against forgery deteriorates due to ease of sequencing and replication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the authentication system into two independent components: a library of nucleic acid sequence tags with defined motifs and a validation system. The library contains multiple groups of tags, each with characteristic position motifs that are never alone but work in combination. This segmentation prevents forgers from replicating authentication by copying individual sequences, as the meaningful information is distributed across multiple components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of DNA barcoding from using unique individual sequences to using combinatorial motif systems. Instead of each product having one unique barcode sequence, the system uses libraries where authentication depends on the specific combination of motifs at characteristic positions across multiple sequence tags. This parameter change makes the system future-proof against sequencing technology advances.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional barcodes or labels are used for authentication, then ease of implementation is improved, but protection against forging deteriorates due to replicability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical/optical barcode systems (printed labels, QR codes) with a biochemical system using nucleic acid sequence tags. This substitution leverages the inherent properties of DNA/RNA molecules - their stability, specificity of binding, and the complexity of biological systems - to create authentication that is far more difficult to forge while maintaining ease of validation through biochemical assays.
3Measurement precision
If DNA sequencing sensitivity is improved for validation, then detection capability is improved, but security against future forgery deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by designing the authentication system to be inherently resistant to future sequencing technology advances. The combinatorial motif system with libraries of sequence tags creates a layer of complexity that prevents straightforward sequencing and replication. The defined motifs at characteristic positions work in combination, meaning that even with high-sensitivity sequencing, forgers cannot easily identify and replicate the authenticating pattern without understanding the entire library structure and validation rules.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for marking a substrate with a unique library of nucleic acid sequence tags comprising: providing a library of nucleic acid sequence tags, comprising at least two different groups of nucleic acid sequence tags that each comprise a plurality of nucleic acid sequence tags, wherein each of said nucleic acid sequence tags comprises a defined nucleic acid motif in at least a first and a second characteristic position, and wherein outside of said at least two characteristic positions each nucleic acid sequence tag comprises a random nucleic acid sequence, wherein the combination of the nucleic acid motifs of the at least first characteristic position and the at least second characteristic position of a nucleic acid sequence tag is characteristic and unique for the group of said nucleic acid sequence tag, and marking the substrate with the unique nucleic acid library by applying the nucleic acid sequence tag library to the substrate. The invention further relates to a packaging article comprising a substrate marked according to the method of the present invention and different kits for applying and validating a substrate tagged according to the present invention.