Signature Science, LLC
Signature Science, LLC is an Austin, TX-based applied science subsidiary of Southwest Research Institute serving federal and commercial clients with forensic DNA analysis, biosecurity bioinformatics (SeqScreen, S2Fast), field biothreat detection (FFBS), CBRNE training, and AI biosafety evaluation across national security, public safety, and health security domains.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersAustin, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Signature Science, LLC does
Signature Science, LLC is an Austin, Texas-based applied science and technology company founded in 2001 and operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Southwest Research Institute (SwRI). The company serves federal government agencies and commercial clients across three mission-aligned domains — National Security, Public Safety and Security, and Health Security — with a workforce of 101-250 employees distributed across offices in Austin, Egg Harbor Township NJ, Arlington VA, and Charlottesville VA. Its service portfolio spans accredited forensic DNA casework, biosecurity sequence screening, biothreat detection, CBRNE training and exercises, AI biosafety evaluation, and chemical threat collection and detection.
The company's technological core consists of proprietary bioinformatics tools developed in collaboration with academic and government partners. SeqScreen™ and S2Fast are open-source workflows co-developed with Rice University under IARPA's FunGCAT program for functional screening of pathogenic nucleotide sequences, supported by a curated Functions of Sequences of Concern (FunSoCs) ontology built by Signature Science's subject-matter experts. The Far-Forward Biological Sequencing (FFBS) system packages sequencing hardware with onboard GPU base-calling and bioinformatics threat analysis in a ruggedized portable console for field identification of known and novel biothreats. AI EmpiriTest™ provides laboratory-based empirical benchmarking of AI models' ability to execute molecular design tasks (custom DNA, CRISPR, proteins), addressing biosafety risks in synthetic biology tooling. The company also markets the TrueScent® brand of scientifically validated K-9 training aids and holds a portfolio of granted (Lasso, Swab Canister) and pending patents in chemical and biological detection instrumentation.
Signature Science generates revenue through three primary streams: government contracts via vehicles such as GSA's OASIS+ for R&D services in national security, public safety, and health security; commercial services including accredited forensic DNA analysis, biosecurity screening consulting, and AI safety evaluations; and product sales through dedicated e-commerce sites (truescentk9.com, sigscipt.com) for K-9 training aids and proficiency testing products. The company pursues a vertical segmentation strategy targeting federal agencies (defense, intelligence, homeland security), law enforcement and forensic science organizations, the bioengineering and biotechnology industry, and public health organizations. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; federal procurement occurs via direct engagement or OASIS+, while commercial customers transact through product websites or direct contract. The company maintains an open-source distribution model for its flagship bioinformatics software, distributing SeqScreen and S2Fast via GitHub and GitLab to engage the research community as a demand-generation channel.
Signature Science, LLC firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Signature Science, LLC
- Legal name
- Signature Science, LLC
- Website
- https://signaturescience.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Signature Science, LLC is an Austin, TX-based applied science subsidiary of Southwest Research Institute serving federal and commercial clients with forensic DNA analysis, biosecurity bioinformatics (SeqScreen, S2Fast), field biothreat detection (FFBS), CBRNE training, and AI biosafety evaluation across national security, public safety, and health security domains.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Signature Science, LLC industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Forensic and Biosecurity Scientific Services
- NAICS
- Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Knowledge Management & Scientific Collaboration / Literature Intelligence (HLAGAJAN)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Sample / Biorepository & Biobank Informatics (Chain-of-Custody) (HLAGAJAH), Biothreat/Biocontainment & Select Agent Public Health Laboratories (HLAJAIAL)
Keywords
Where Signature Science, LLC is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Austin
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Signature Science, LLC business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Government Contracts: Signature Science serves federal government agencies as a prime contractor, leveraging contract vehicles such as GSA's OASIS+ to deliver R&D solutions in national security, public safety and security, and health security. Work includes CBRNE training, laboratory quality assurance, forensic DNA analysis, biosecurity research, and AI safety consultation services.
- Commercial Services: The company provides accredited forensic DNA analysis services, bioinformatics solutions, and biosecurity screening services to commercial clients. Services include nucleotide sequence screening, third-party biosecurity software testing and evaluation, microbiome analysis, custom test and evaluation datasets, and consulting services for biosecurity screening framework setup.
- Product Sales: Signature Science sells proprietary products including TrueScent® K-9 training aids and laboratory proficiency testing products through dedicated product websites. These products serve law enforcement, government agencies, and commercial laboratories requiring validated detection or quality assurance tools.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Signature Science, LLC product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Signature Science, LLC provides applied science and technology solutions to government and commercial clients across three domains: National Security, Public Safety and Security, and Health Security. The company offers bioinformatics tools (SeqScreen, S2Fast) for biosecurity sequence screening, a portable Far-Forward Biological Sequencing (FFBS) system for field biothreat identification, accredited forensic DNA analysis services, AI safety consultation and empirical testing (AI EmpiriTest), K-9 detection training aids (TrueScent), and laboratory proficiency testing products.
Product overview
Signature Science, LLC, a subsidiary of Southwest Research Institute, offers a portfolio of applied science and technology solutions across National Security, Public Safety and Security, and Health Security. The company provides bioinformatics tools including SeqScreen (open-source) and S2Fast for biosecurity screening, FFBS (Far Forward Biological Sequencing) for field biothreat detection, AI Safety Consultation Services with AI EmpiriTest for laboratory verification, Forensic DNA services through the Center for Advanced Genomics, K-9 training aids (TrueScent), and proficiency testing services. The product portfolio includes both software (SeqScreen, S2Fast, SeqScreen-Nano) and physical products (TrueScent K-9 Training Aids, FFBS ruggedized field kit) combined with extensive laboratory and consulting services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- TrueScent: K-9 Training Aids product line for law enforcement and security applications
- SigSci Forensics
- Center for Advanced Genomics
- AI EmpiriTest
- SeqScreen
- S2Fast
Products and services
- FFBS: Far Forward Biological Sequencing A streamlined, end-to-end ruggedized field system for rapid identification of known and novel biothreats in operational environments, combining portable sequencing hardware and bioinformatics analysis. Targeted at national security and defense operators.
- Forensic DNA Casework (SigSci Forensics / Center for Advanced Genomics) Accredited forensic DNA casework and analysis services delivered through the Center for Advanced Genomics, supporting criminal investigations and law enforcement.
- AI Safety Consultation Services with AI EmpiriTest
- TrueScent K-9 Training Aids
- Proficiency Testing Services
- CBRNE Training and Exercises
- Laboratory Quality Assurance Services
- Fentanyl Detection Solutions
- Chemical Threat Collection and Detection
- Biosecurity and Emerging Threats Services
- Infectious Disease Modeling and Forecasting
- OASIS+ Federal Contract Vehicle GSA contract vehicle providing streamlined procurement access to Signature Science's R&D solutions for federal agencies across national security, public safety, and health security.
Quantifiable outcome
- Validated SNP mixture deconvolution workflow for two-person DNA mixtures, enabling investigative leads from previously unusable evidence (May 2026)
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Signature Science, LLC
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Signature Science, LLC technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability8 records
Feature7 records
Signature Science, LLC partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services / Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR)coreDr. Matthew Sharkey of HHS/ASPR provided a guest lecture in the Biosecurity Sequence Screening Training Course on the federal screening framework guidance for synthetic DNA. Signature Science's SeqScreen and biosecurity screening tools are designed to align with and support compliance with HHS screening framework guidance for providers of synthetic and nucleic acids. The collaboration involves ongoing dialogue to ensure tools meet evolving regulatory expectations.
- Rice University (Dr. Todd Treangen's Laboratory)coreRice University collaborated with Signature Science on the development of SeqScreen™ and S2Fast bioinformatics workflows, funded through IARPA's FunGCAT program. Dr. Treangen's laboratory served as the primary software development partner, with Rice graduate students and postdocs (particularly Advait) contributing to SeqScreen code development. This is a deep academic-government collaboration central to Signature Science's biosecurity technology portfolio.
- AclidcoreAclid collaborated with Signature Science and Rice University on the Biosecurity Sequence Screening Training Course for Bioengineers, hosted by BioMADE. Aclid provides security and compliance automation for gene synthesis, and contributed to the training course content on DNA screening concepts and interpretation of sequence screening results.
- BioMADEcoreBioMADE (Bioindustrial Manufacturing Innovation Institute), a public-private partnership launched in 2021 catalyzed by the DOD and part of the Manufacturing USA network, sponsored and supported the Biosecurity Sequence Screening Training Course. Signature Science served as a BioMADE member leading course development alongside Rice University and Aclid, contributing to the 4S (Safety, Security, Sustainability, Social Responsibility) mission.
- Murder Has a Name FoundationminorThe Murder Has a Name foundation, launched by Steve and Kristi Goncalves to fund advanced forensic DNA testing for families of homicide victims, partners with forensic technology firms including Signature Science to independently review and select cases for funding. Cases are chosen based on their potential for advanced DNA analysis and meaningful investigative outcomes. Signature Science provides forensic DNA expertise and case review as part of the foundation's ecosystem of partner laboratories.
- Southwest Research Institute (SwRI)coreSignature Science is a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), headquartered in San Antonio, TX. SwRI provides institutional backing, infrastructure, and research capabilities that support Signature Science's operations and R&D activities.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Signature Science, LLC competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Signature Science, LLC social profiles
Digital presenceSignature Science, LLC financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Signature Science, LLC leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Signature Science, LLC funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Signature Science, LLC M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Signature Science, LLC
What does Signature Science, LLC do?
Signature Science, LLC provides applied science and technology solutions to government and commercial clients across three domains: National Security, Public Safety and Security, and Health Security. The company offers bioinformatics tools (SeqScreen, S2Fast) for biosecurity sequence screening, a portable Far-Forward Biological Sequencing (FFBS) system for field biothreat identification, accredited forensic DNA analysis services, AI safety consultation and empirical testing (AI EmpiriTest), K-9 detection training aids (TrueScent), and laboratory proficiency testing products.
Is Signature Science, LLC a public or private company?
Signature Science, LLC is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Signature Science, LLC founded?
Signature Science, LLC was founded in 2001. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Signature Science, LLC based?
Signature Science, LLC is headquartered in Austin, United States, in the North America region.
How does Signature Science, LLC make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Government Contracts are the primary driver. The others are commercial Services and product Sales.
Does Signature Science, LLC have an API?
No public API is recorded for Signature Science, LLC.
What industry is Signature Science, LLC in?
Signature Science, LLC's product category is Forensic and Biosecurity Scientific Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAGAJAN, Knowledge Management & Scientific Collaboration / Literature Intelligence, with a secondary code of HLAGAJAH, Sample / Biorepository & Biobank Informatics (Chain-of-Custody). Its NAICS code is 541714 and its SIC code is 8731.