Exemption Certification System
Streamline Research Access with SecureDNA's Exemption Certification System
SecureDNA's Exemption Certification System enables authorized researchers to access hazardous DNA sequences safely and efficiently. This innovative solution balances critical research needs with stringent biosecurity measures, streamlining processes for labs, synthesis providers, and regulatory agencies.
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Streamlined Approval Process
Rapid authorization for pre-approved sequences. Reduces administrative burden on providers and regulators.
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Enhanced Compliance
Ensures adherence to local and international biosecurity regulations. Provides clear audit trails for all exempted sequences.
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Increased Security
Utilizes advanced cryptographic validation. Implements physical authentication measures.
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Flexibility
Supports both one-time and recurring exemptions for various research needs, including oligonucleotide libraries and specific hazardous strains.
Who It's For
Research Laboratories: Gain faster access to necessary sequences for legitimate research, eliminating delays in critical work.
DNA Synthesis Providers: Reduce administrative overhead while ensuring compliance with biosecurity regulations.
Regulatory Agencies: Enhance oversight and ensure compliance while supporting legitimate scientific advancement.
Biosafety Authorities: Biosafety Officers, Institutional Biosafety Committees, Biosecurity Officers, and other designated authorities can efficiently manage and monitor sequence approvals with powerful administrative tools.
How It Works
- A Research Lab requests an exemption from their designated biosafety authority (Biosafety Officer, Institutional Biosafety Committee, Biosecurity Officer, or other authorized entity).
- The biosafety authority reviews the requested sequence(s) and other order information.
- The biosafety authority grants approval, issuing an exemption token, a cryptographically signed artifact that contains a public key identification (PKI) certificate.
- The Research Lab submits the sequence order to manufacturer, including the exemption token.
- The synthesizing manufacturer screens the sequence using SecureDNA, and includes the exemption token at the time of screen, overriding “denial” flags for the specific sequence(s) covered in the exemption token.
- The manufacturer fulfills the order, maintaining a secure record of the exemption for compliance purposes.
Benefits for Biosafety Authorities
Central Role in Authorization: Biosafety Officers, Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBCs), Biosecurity Officers, or other designated authorities can generate Exemption List Tokens (ELTs) for researchers, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access hazardous DNA sequences.
Enhanced Monitoring: Authorized authorities receive notifications for every order placed using an ELT, allowing for real-time monitoring and traceability of hazardous materials.
Streamlined Workflows: Automated systems reduce the need for manual review and approvals, freeing up institutional authorities to focus on other critical tasks.
Compliance Assurance: The system ensures that all hazardous sequences are handled in compliance with biosecurity regulations, reducing the risk of unauthorized use.
Technical Specifications
Distributed Cryptographic Security: Our system employs advanced Distributed Oblivious Pseudorandom Function (DOPRF) cryptography to ensure the highest level of security for sensitive sequence data.
Seamless Integration: The Exemption Certification System integrates directly with SecureDNA's screening infrastructure, allowing for immediate verification of exemptions during the screening process.
Privacy Preservation: Our system maintains complete privacy of sequence data - neither SecureDNA nor any third party can access the actual sequence information being ordered.
Physical Authentication: Hardware security keys ($20-30) are required to validate user identity, adding an additional layer of security to prevent unauthorized access.
Use Cases
Academic Research Laboratory A university research laboratory needed to develop a vaccine against an emerging virus strain. Using the Exemption Certification System, they submitted their request to their institutional biosafety authority, who approved the necessary sequences. The lab members were able to order the required DNA constructs with their exemption token, receiving their materials within days rather than weeks, accelerating their vital research.
Commercial Synthesis Provider A commercial DNA synthesis company implemented SecureDNA's Exemption Certification System to streamline their process for handling orders containing hazardous sequences. This reduced their manual review burden by 85% while strengthening their compliance procedures. When legitimate customers place orders containing regulated sequences, the system automatically verifies their exemption status, allowing the provider to fulfill appropriate orders without delay.
Security and Compliance
Our system adheres to the highest security standards, utilizing advanced cryptography and physical authentication to prevent unauthorized access. The exemption certification infrastructure is built with multiple layers of protection:
- Cryptographically signed certificates ensure validity and prevent forgery
- Tamper-evident logs maintain complete records of all exempted orders
- Regular security audits and updates address emerging threats
- Fully compliant with current and anticipated regulatory requirements for DNA synthesis screening worldwide
Ready to Streamline Your Research Access?
Contact us today to learn how your organization can benefit from SecureDNA's Exemption Certification System. Our team is ready to provide a personalized demonstration and discuss implementation options tailored to your specific needs. You can also register now to start screening sequences immediately.