# Development of a technology to certify engineered DNA molecules

> **NIH NIH R01** · COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY · 2023 · $359,667

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The open availability of authenticated, well-documented research materials is essential for scientific progress.
Plasmids have become essential research tools to address almost any question in biology, and together with
other forms of engineered DNA molecules, are essential for clinical research applications including gene therapy,
vaccine development, and the production of recombinant drugs. Currently, the two common links between a
plasmid and its documentation are the plasmid names and the plasmid sequence. Despite the central role that
plasmids play in biomedical research and development, there is no guaranteed way to connect a physical
plasmid in a tube to its documentation. A pipetting error, a labelling error, a spontaneous mutation, or an
undocumented modification of the plasmid are some of the events that could result in a tube containing a different
plasmid than what is indicated on the label. In addition, there is no standardized, secure approach to
documenting the sequence, function, and lineage of a plasmid. As a result, there are widespread discrepancies
between the physical sequences of the plasmids in circulation in the life science community and their supposed
reference sequence. This situation creates reproducibility issues, slows down R&D efforts and raises significant
security and safety issues for biotechnology applications.
We are proposing to develop a new digital certificate technology, enabled by a web-based resource called
MyPlasmid.org, that will provide a robust, physical link between engineered DNA molecules, their electronic
documentation, and their authors. This technology will produce unique DNA sequences generated by
cryptographic algorithms that can be inserted into an engineered DNA molecule. MyPlasmid.org will allow users
to document their genetic designs by aggregating the documentation of individual genetic elements as well as
combinations of elements. In addition, it will link the computer records of the engineered DNA sequence directly
to the molecule itself and provide a method to retrieve documentation without a priori knowledge of the plasmid's
identity. Short unique DNA sequences called certificates will be inserted between the functional blocks of
engineered sequences. Unlike DNA barcodes, certificates will be computed by cryptographic algorithms using
the DNA sequence itself and the author's identity as input so that users of engineered DNA molecules can verify
the origin and integrity of certified DNA molecules. The technology described in this proposal is expected to
foster a transition similar what has been observed in the semi-conductor industry where different stakeholders
invest in the development of circuits that can be easily combined in larger designs that can then be manufactured
by foundries not involved in the chip design. By ensuring that the sequence, origin, function, and lineage of
engineered DNA molecules is accurately tracked and conveyed to all users, the proposed te...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10704153
- **Project number:** 5R01GM147816-02
- **Recipient organization:** COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Jean M Peccoud
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $359,667
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-09-15 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10704153

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10704153, Development of a technology to certify engineered DNA molecules (5R01GM147816-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10704153. Licensed CC0.

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