Use of markers including nucleotide sequence based codes to monitor methods of detection and identification of genetic material

Abstract

Disclosed is the use of artificially-generated nucleic acid coded markers to monitor nucleic acid amplification and sequencing reactions designed to detect or analyze biological samples. The markers generally include, along with a unique sequence preferably including coded section designed to represent one or more factors of interest, primer annealing sequences so that the marker may be amplified and sequenced in the same process and using the same amplification and sequencing primers as for the sample target. The invention also relates to the marker itself, and other uses, such as identifying the origin of various materials or products.

1 - 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A marker comprising a molecule including a nucleic acid sequence, said sequence comprising an artificial coding sequence that may be decoded to reveal specific information, and regions that permit amplification and sequencing of said coding sequence. 
     
     
         6 . The marker of  claim 5 , further comprising a homonucleotide sequence adjacent to said coding sequences. 
     
     
         7 . The marker of  claim 5 , further comprising primer annealing sites flanking said coding sequence, said sites being designed for annealing primers capable of polymerase chain reaction amplification of a natural genomic sequence. 
     
     
         8 . The marker of  claim 5 , further comprising a sequencing primer annealing site adjacent to said coding sequence, said site being designed for annealing a primer capable of use in cycle sequencing. 
     
     
         9 . The marker of  claim 5 , wherein said molecule is one strand of a double-stranded DNA molecule. 
     
     
         10 . The marker of  claim 9 , wherein the double-stranded DNA molecule is circular.