System and Method for Rapid Detection and Identification of Nucleic Acid Labeled Tags

Abstract

A system for identifying which of a plurality of nucleic acid tag varieties are present on an item of interest. The system includes nucleic acid tag varieties each including a nucleotide-support platform attached to a nucleic acid molecule, the nucleic acid molecule including a first and a second universal primer region common to all nucleic acid tag varieties, and a first and a second unique primer region unique to each nucleic acid tag variety. The system also includes a first primer set with a first primer complementary to the first universal primer region and a second primer complementary to the second universal primer region, as well as a second primer set with a first primer complementary to the first unique primer region of one of the nucleic acid tag varieties and a second primer complementary to the second unique primer region of the same nucleic acid tag variety.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for identifying which of a plurality of nucleic acid tag varieties are present on an item of interest, the system comprising:
 a plurality of nucleic acid tag varieties, wherein each nucleic acid tag variety comprises a nucleotide-support platform attached to a nucleic acid molecule, the nucleic acid molecule of each nucleic acid tag variety comprising a first and a second universal primer region common to all nucleic acid tag varieties, and a first and a second unique primer region unique to each nucleic acid tag variety;   a first primer set comprising a first primer complementary to the first universal primer region, and a second primer complementary to the second universal primer region; and   a second primer set comprising a first primer complementary to the first unique primer region of one of the plurality of nucleic acid tag varieties, and a second primer complementary to the second unique primer region of the same nucleic acid tag variety.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each nucleic acid tag variety further comprises a nucleic acid spacer unique to each tag and disposed between said first and second unique primer region. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the nucleic acid molecule is composed of nucleotides selected from the group consisting of ribonucleotides, deoxyribonucleotides, nucleotide analogues, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the nucleic acid molecule is an oligonucleotide. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the nucleic acid molecule is genomic deoxyribonucleic acid ranging from two nucleotides to the entire genome. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein information about the item of interest is contained within the nucleic acid molecule. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the nucleotide-support platform is a nanoparticle. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein each nucleic acid tag variety comprises an agglomerated plurality of nucleotide-support platforms each attached to a plurality of nucleic acid molecule. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein each nucleic acid tag variety is encapsulated by an encapsulant. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of nucleic acid tag varieties comprises a fire retardant. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of nucleic acid tag varieties comprises an odorant. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of nucleic acid tag varieties comprises a UV-protectant. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of nucleic acid tag varieties comprises a photoluminescent compound configured to enable identification. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of nucleic acid tag varieties comprises a retroreflector. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises at least two different nucleic acid tag varieties comprising the same first and second universal primer region and different first and second unique primer regions, wherein each of the at least two different nucleic acid tag varieties is configured to be deployed in a distinct one of a plurality of locations.