Local Tech Company Nets Government Defense Funding

A local technology startup has received another grant from the U.S. Government, this time from the United States Missile Defense Agency, to continue developing its anti-counterfeiting technology.

Applied DNA Sciences, based in Stony Brook at the Long Island High Technology Incubator, announced that it has been awarded $150,000 to research methods for using its SigNature DNA markers in military electronics manufacturing. The company's SigNature DNA markers are botanical DNA markers that enable its customers to verify their products are authentic.

James Hayward, president and CEO of Applied DNA Sciences, said the award is a sign that the military forces are aware of the potential for the technology.

“The research for MDA will aid our ongoing work in expanding the range of applications of SigNature DNA, further compressing the time used to mark and authenticate items, and opening up the ability to use still more and varied carriers for our mark,” Hayward said in a statement.

The company said in its announcement that the award came through the Missile Defense Agency's  Small Business Innovation Research program, which has given more than $1 billion to small businesses that have the potential to develop products with military applications. Applied DNA Sciences is previously the recipient of a U.S. Defense Logistics Agency grant, through which the company now processes certain military electronics with its DNA markers.