Easy read molecular tag

Abstract

Foreign proteins are placed into the blood of an animal so that they can be recovered at a later time and used for identification. Proteins are administered to the animal from a water bath via the animal's gills (where appropriate), gut and, through the skin. The foreign protein is detectable in small amounts using immune assays which magnify the available signal or tags in an assay.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for marking an animal for subsequent identification comprising exposing the animal to a protein that does not react with the animal's immune system wherein said protein contains a detectable marker.  
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the marker is biotin.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the protein is bovine serum albumin.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the animals are fish which are exposed by immersion in a solution of the protein.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1  wherein the marker is biotin and the protein is bovine serum albumin.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 4  wherein the fish are salmonids.