Abstract: This invention relates to a nucleic-acid based product authentication by determining authentication codes comprising target nucleic acids using oligonucleotide probes immobilized on particulate and non-particulate substrates. The presence of the authentication code is determined using detection methods, such as flow cytometric methods, capable of particle discrimination based on the light scattering or fluorescence properties of the particle, or by spatial resolution of oligonucleotides immobilized at specific loci on a substrate. Target-correlated fluorescence signal, originating from a target nucleic acid hybridized to substrate-immobilized oligonucleotide is determined as an indicator of the presence of the authentication code.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method for quality control of surface coated objects used independently or in conjunction with product authentication; methods for assuring proper product handling; methods for assuring that product contents' match product's label, comprising the use of microparticulate taggants having different detectable physical properties, wherein each combination of properties is used as an encoding bit to create codes.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, reagents, and apparatus for authenticating products. Methods of the invention are easy to implement but difficult to replicate, simulate, alter, transpose, or tamper with. In particular, the present invention relates to a product authentication code defined by a signature array of a population of entities, and its use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, reagents, and apparatus for authenticating products. Methods of the invention are easy to implement but difficult to replicate, simulate, alter, transpose, or tamper with. In particular, the present invention relates to a product authentication code defined by a signature array of a population of entities, and its use thereof.