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Porcupine: Rapid Robust Tagging with DNA

Katie Doroschak

Presents Porcupine, a molecular tagging system that uses synthetic DNA strands and portable nanopore sequencers for rapid physical object tagging.

Summary

Molecular Tagging for Physical Objects

Molecular tagging offers an alternative method for labeling physical assets where conventional barcodes or RFID tags are impractical or easily compromised.

The Porcupine Molecular Tagging System

Porcupine utilizes distinct, nanopore-orthogonal synthetic DNA strands termed molecular bits (molbits) to represent digital data on tagged surfaces.

Real-Time Raw Signal Classification

By classifying molbits directly from the raw electrical signal of a portable nanopore sequencer, the system achieves tag readout within seconds without requiring traditional basecalling.

Environmental Robustness and Shelf Life

Dehydrating assembled molbits provides environmental stability and contamination resistance, establishing a durable, low-cost molecular barcode architecture.

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