Signature Science, LLC

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.

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

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

• Forensic DNA analysis
• Biosecurity screening
• Biothreat detection
• Bioinformatics workflows
• CBRNE training

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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

Core 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

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability8 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services / Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 March 2023Dr. 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRice 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.
• AclidcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAclid 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.
• BioMADEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBioMADE (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 FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe 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)coreOthersSignature 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

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• GitHubgithub.com/signaturescience
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCF2AkVFbewgvLb4UufhDAWQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/signature-science-llc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Signature Science, LLC