CBS NY - Applied DNA's ($APDN) Digital DNA’ May Soon Be Required To Take SAT And ACT Exams

Applied DNA Sciences Inc. (OTCBB: APDN; Twitter: $APDN) sells patented DNA security solutions to protect products, brands and intellectual property from counterfeiting and diversion. SigNature DNA is a botanical mark used to authenticate products in a unique manner that essentially cannot be copied, and provide a forensic chain of evidence that can be used to prosecute perpetrators.

On Monday, CBS New York’s Jennifer McLogan reported on what politicians will see first hand in Albany this afternoon, and what could soon be implemented in New York and at high schools around the country.

Inside the Applied DNA Sciences lab at Stony Brook University researchers are hard at work inventing and perfecting a system that can prevent cheating on SAT and ACT exams.

“A novel system that’s absolutely unbreakable for securing the identity of a student taking the SAT exam,” said Dr. James Hayward.

Applied DNA put out a press release this morning in anticipation of today's hearing which states:

Dr. James A. Hayward, President and CEO of Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (OTC.BB: APDN.OB - News), has been invited by the Chairman of the New York Senate Higher Education Committee to speak about APDN's digitalDNA™ technology to help block cheating on standardized tests such as the SAT college entrance exam. The Chairman, State Senator Kenneth LaValle, has been pressing for a solution since dozens of individuals were arrested on Long Island last November for paying others to take the tests for them.

At least four test-takers have been accused of accepting cash payments of $500 to $3,600 to take the test for students, largely from Long Island's North Shore schools.

In his testimony, Dr. Hayward will detail how APDN's digitalDNA can aid in preventing a reoccurrence of the cheating scandal.

In a TV interview with CBS News on January 23, Dr. Hayward demonstrated the technology he called "a novel system that is absolutely unbreakable for students taking the SAT exams."

(A video clip of the interview may be found here, the CBS news story here).

The digitalDNA system creates a counterfeit-proof, secure ID card. The card is embedded with infinitesimal molecules of plant DNA segments that authenticate a student's identity in a way that is absolutely uncopyable. The anti-counterfeiting technology also features a scannable printed code, which visually represents the same identity information. Embedded within the iconic code, and in covert locations on the card, is the physical code of digitalDNA. A scan, using a Smartphone or other mobile device, may be done instantly for exam-screening purposes, or at any other point. If deemed necessary, a second level of screening is available: the plant DNA on the card may be swabbed and forensically evaluated; a system well-recognized by courts globally.

All information is sent wirelessly to, and stored in, an ultra-secure internet database in "a private cloud." Applied DNA Sciences is closely affiliated with Stony Brook University's Center of Excellence in Wireless & Information Technology.

In his planned testimony, Dr. Hayward comments:

"Botanical DNA markers transform SAT identification cards into robust evidentiary tools that can assist in criminal prosecution efforts. The challenge is to ensure that actual, eligible, registered participants complete their exams. The goal is preserving exam integrity and maintaining a level playing field for all participants, and the solution is enhanced preregistration in tandem with identity verification before and after exams. We are confident that digitalDNA can assist in achieving the goal of an effective, easy-to-use and affordable system for preventing testing fraud."

Applied DNA Sciences is well-known throughout Europe and the U.S. for using botanical DNA to create very high security anti-counterfeiting systems. Such a system, now being piloted by an agency of the Department of Defense, identifies counterfeit microchips before they make their way into the U.S. military supply chain. Product authentication using botanical DNA has proved to be virtually uncopyable and resistant to the most highly stressed environment -- a must for the military.

APDN has installed its products in Europe and the U.S., protecting banks and ATMs (U.S.), jewelry stores (Sweden), and cash-in-transit strong boxes (UK). Its Signature DNA cash-protection system has won two top policing prizes in the United Kingdom over the past two years for successful work with police in helping secure convictions of cash thieves.

The State Senate hearing on SAT cheating is scheduled for January 24th, between the hours of 12:00PM and 3:00PM Eastern Time in the Legislative Office Building, Hearing Room A in Albany, New York. This event will also be streamed live on the NY Senate, Committee on Higher Education webpage found at: http://www.nysenate.gov/committee/higher-education

Video: Dr. James Hayward on Military Security, UAlbany NanoCollege Partnerhip, Nanochip Anti-Counterfeiting Program, $APDN

The College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (CNSE) of the University at Albany and Long Island-based Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. (OTCBB: APDN) have come to an agreement on a partnership to enable nanotechnology-driven innovations that would play a critical role in preventing the counterfeiting of computer chips -- a collaboration in the groundbreaking area of "nanosecurity" that initially targets the $20 billion defense industry chip market and has the potential to impact nanoelectronics and aerospace markets well in excess of $300 billion. The CNSE manages $14 billon in high-tech investments and is one of the world's most advanced university-driven research enterprises. Its connection with a great many of the major enterprises in the semiconductor industry bodes well for great commercial success. 

Through joint research and development at CNSE's Albany NanoTech Complex, CNSE and APDN will accelerate the development of APDN's SigNature DNA® product. This will include the integration of new methods for DNA deposition on nanoelectronics wafers and computer chips both prior to, and including, final packaging to ensure the integrity and security of processed wafers.

The collaboration comes on the heels of the enacting of the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act. This law will significantly strengthen protections against the wave of counterfeit electronic parts coming into the defense supply system by requiring that military suppliers and government agencies create and implement counterfeit detection and avoidance systems, among many other strict anti-counterfeiting provisions. These new mandates could be enabled through a CNSE-APDN partnership.

In this film, Applied DNA's CEO Dr. James Hayward discusses the reach and scope of this agreement:

Watch more on Film Annex

About CNSE. The UAlbany CNSE is the first college in the world dedicated to education, research, development and deployment in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience, nanoengineering, nanobioscience and nanoeconomics. With more than $14 billon in high-tech investments, CNSE represents the world's most advanced university-driven research enterprise, offering students a one-of-a-kind academic experience and providing over 300 corporate partners with access to an unmatched ecosystem for leading-edge R&D and commercialization of nanoelectronics and nanotechnology innovations.

CNSE's footprint spans upstate New York, including its Albany NanoTech Complex, an 800,000-square-foot megaplex with the only fully-integrated, 300mm wafer, computer chip pilot prototyping and demonstration line within 85,000 square feet of Class 1 capable cleanrooms. More than 2,600 scientists, researchers, engineers, students and faculty work here, from companies including IBM, Intel, GlobalFoundries, SEMATECH, Samsung, TSMC, Toshiba, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron, ASML and Novellus Systems.

An expansion now underway, part of which will house the world's first Global 450mm Consortium, will add nearly 500,000 square feet of next-generation infrastructure, an additional 50,000 square feet of Class 1 capable cleanrooms, and more than 1,000 scientists, researchers and engineers from CNSE and global corporations.

In addition, CNSE's Solar Energy Development Center in Halfmoon provides a prototyping and demonstration line for next-generation CIGS thin-film solar cells. CNSE's Smart Systems Technology and Commercialization Center of Excellence (STC) in Rochester offers state-of-the-art capabilities for MEMS fabrication and packaging. CNSE also co-founded and manages operations at the Computer Chip Commercialization Center at SUNYIT in Utica and is a co-founder of the Nanotechnology Innovation and Commercialization Excelerator in Syracuse. For information, visit www.cnse.albany.edu.

About APDN. APDN sells patent-protected DNA security solutions to protect products, brands and intellectual property from counterfeiting and diversion. SigNature DNA is a botanical mark used to authenticate products in a unique manner that essentially cannot be copied, and provide a forensic chain of evidence that can be used to prosecute perpetrators. To learn more, go to www.adnas.com where APDN routinely posts all press releases.