Hybridization-encoded DNA tags with paper-based readout for anti-forgery raw material tracking

Abstract Tracking and tracing raw materials is crucial for securing global supply chains. Conventional methods like barcodes and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags are effective but fall short in ensuring raw material traceability and anti-counterfeiting. This work introduces DNA as a powerf...

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Main Authors: Jiaming Li, Alex Crown, Peter Ney, Sergey Yekhanin, Aditi Partap, Anuja Shirole, Huiting Jiang, Sagan Russ, Max Gordon, Adaora Aroh, Jeff Nivala, Anirudh Badam, Vaishnavi Ranganathan, Karin Strauss, Ranveer Chandra, Yuan-Jyue Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60282-7
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author Jiaming Li
Alex Crown
Peter Ney
Sergey Yekhanin
Aditi Partap
Anuja Shirole
Huiting Jiang
Sagan Russ
Max Gordon
Adaora Aroh
Jeff Nivala
Anirudh Badam
Vaishnavi Ranganathan
Karin Strauss
Ranveer Chandra
Yuan-Jyue Chen
author_facet Jiaming Li
Alex Crown
Peter Ney
Sergey Yekhanin
Aditi Partap
Anuja Shirole
Huiting Jiang
Sagan Russ
Max Gordon
Adaora Aroh
Jeff Nivala
Anirudh Badam
Vaishnavi Ranganathan
Karin Strauss
Ranveer Chandra
Yuan-Jyue Chen
author_sort Jiaming Li
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Tracking and tracing raw materials is crucial for securing global supply chains. Conventional methods like barcodes and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags are effective but fall short in ensuring raw material traceability and anti-counterfeiting. This work introduces DNA as a powerful tool for source tracking, leveraging its invisibility, safety, and seamless product integration. We present DNATags–engineered DNA mixtures enabling product labeling with error tolerance–readable in the field via paper tickets that fluoresce under a mobile phone and filter device. Additionally, DNATrack employs DNA Hybridization Encoding (HyEn) for enhanced anti-forgery security. Although current costs are higher ($2-$4 per read and write), declining DNA synthesis costs, along with DNA’s unique advantages, make this approach a promising solution for future supply chain management.
format Article
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institution Kabale University
issn 2041-1723
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
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series Nature Communications
spelling doaj-art-9cf1caab90af411cb4a09f85cff559122025-08-20T03:45:35ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-07-0116111010.1038/s41467-025-60282-7Hybridization-encoded DNA tags with paper-based readout for anti-forgery raw material trackingJiaming Li0Alex Crown1Peter Ney2Sergey Yekhanin3Aditi Partap4Anuja Shirole5Huiting Jiang6Sagan Russ7Max Gordon8Adaora Aroh9Jeff Nivala10Anirudh Badam11Vaishnavi Ranganathan12Karin Strauss13Ranveer Chandra14Yuan-Jyue Chen15University of Washington, Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and EngineeringMicrosoft ResearchUniversity of Washington, Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and EngineeringMicrosoft ResearchMicrosoft ResearchUniversity of Washington, Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and EngineeringMicrosoft ResearchUniversity of Washington, Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and EngineeringMicrosoft ResearchMicrosoft ResearchUniversity of Washington, Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and EngineeringMicrosoft ResearchMicrosoft ResearchMicrosoft ResearchMicrosoft ResearchMicrosoft ResearchAbstract Tracking and tracing raw materials is crucial for securing global supply chains. Conventional methods like barcodes and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags are effective but fall short in ensuring raw material traceability and anti-counterfeiting. This work introduces DNA as a powerful tool for source tracking, leveraging its invisibility, safety, and seamless product integration. We present DNATags–engineered DNA mixtures enabling product labeling with error tolerance–readable in the field via paper tickets that fluoresce under a mobile phone and filter device. Additionally, DNATrack employs DNA Hybridization Encoding (HyEn) for enhanced anti-forgery security. Although current costs are higher ($2-$4 per read and write), declining DNA synthesis costs, along with DNA’s unique advantages, make this approach a promising solution for future supply chain management.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60282-7
spellingShingle Jiaming Li
Alex Crown
Peter Ney
Sergey Yekhanin
Aditi Partap
Anuja Shirole
Huiting Jiang
Sagan Russ
Max Gordon
Adaora Aroh
Jeff Nivala
Anirudh Badam
Vaishnavi Ranganathan
Karin Strauss
Ranveer Chandra
Yuan-Jyue Chen
Hybridization-encoded DNA tags with paper-based readout for anti-forgery raw material tracking
Nature Communications
title Hybridization-encoded DNA tags with paper-based readout for anti-forgery raw material tracking
title_full Hybridization-encoded DNA tags with paper-based readout for anti-forgery raw material tracking
title_fullStr Hybridization-encoded DNA tags with paper-based readout for anti-forgery raw material tracking
title_full_unstemmed Hybridization-encoded DNA tags with paper-based readout for anti-forgery raw material tracking
title_short Hybridization-encoded DNA tags with paper-based readout for anti-forgery raw material tracking
title_sort hybridization encoded dna tags with paper based readout for anti forgery raw material tracking
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60282-7
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