# POSERS: A Steganography-Driven Molecular Tagging System Using Randomized DNA Sequences for Secure Authentication

## TL;DR

POSERS is a new DNA-based tagging system that uses randomized sequences to securely authenticate products and prevent counterfeiting.

## Contribution

Introduces POSERS, a steganography-driven molecular tagging system using randomized DNA sequences for secure and scalable authentication.

## Key findings

- POSERS generates unique DNA libraries for each product, enabling cost-effective and large-scale deployment.
- The system is resilient against replication attempts and can detect unauthorized sequence combinations.
- Mathematical and experimental validation confirms POSERS' ability to distinguish genuine tags from forgeries.

## Abstract

Counterfeiting remains a major threat across multiple
industries,
causing substantial financial losses and health-related risks. DNA-based
molecular tagging has emerged as a promising anticounterfeiting strategy,
but existing methods rely on predefined DNA sequences, making them
increasingly vulnerable to replication as sequencing and synthesis
technologies advance. To address these limitations, we introduce POSERS
(Position-Oriented Scattering of Elements among a Randomized Sequence),
a steganographic DNA tagging system that encodes product-specific
constraints into highly diverse, randomized DNA libraries. While the
underlying design is adaptable to other molecular or material carriers,
DNA offers a particularly attractive option due to its chemical stability,
low synthesis cost, and proven compatibility with materials such as
inks, polymers, and coatings. Unlike previous methods that use fixed
tags, POSERS enables customizable design complexity and offers resilience
against replication attempts. Each product in a batch receives a unique
DNA library generated in a single synthesis step, allowing for cost-effective,
large-scale deployment. The security of POSERS is mathematically validated
and experimentally confirmed using next-generation sequencing, combined
with complementary authentication tests that detect both unauthorized
sequence combinations and insufficient diversity. POSERS consistently
distinguishes genuine tags from forgeries, even under conservative
assumptions about an attacker’s knowledge and capabilities.
Our approach prevents both PCR-based copying and reverse-engineering
of tag designs. With its customizable design parameters, minimal DNA
input requirements, and demonstrated robustness against current and
emerging attacks, POSERS establishes a new standard for secure molecular
tagging and offers a scalable, future-proof solution for high-risk
products.