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STONY BROOK, NY--(Marketwire - Mar 8, 2013) - Applied DNA Sciences, Inc. ( OTCBB : APDN ), (Twitter: @APDN), a provider of DNA-based anti-counterfeiting technology and product authentication solutions, announced today that Chris Taylor, a recognized leader in forensic marking products, has joined the company as Director, Europe.

APDN welcomed Mr. Taylor, who will help lead the company in comprehensively expanding its offerings in the United Kingdom, the European continent, and in Scandinavia.Taylor formerly was Managing Director of RedWeb Technologies, a provider of advanced forensic tagging and bespoke GPS tracking security solutions.

"I am excited at the chance to extend APDN's market-leading solutions even farther in the European markets," said Mr. Taylor."With my background in forensic marking, I know that APDN has far and away the most advanced and effective technology, nothing comes close."

Mr. Taylor will drive the commercialization of a fast growing product line.SigNature DNA, the well-known APDN evidentiary marking product, is now used to protect over 26% of the cash in the United Kingdom as money is moved to and from banks and retailers.The cash in transit technology was also adopted last year by the Scandinavian security firm Nokas AS to be used nationally in Sweden.The company's DNANet product, a tactical forensic marking system, is used by law enforcement in the United Kingdom and Sweden for covert police operations.smartDNA, an anti-intrusion forensic marker, is used to protect over forty jewelry stores in Sweden, and to defend against copper theft in that country.

Mr. Taylor said, "APDN technology is redefining the performance level expected by businesses and law enforcement organizations.We are confident we can now extend into new markets and new territories, including in defense, textiles, and brand protection."

Chris Taylor will report directly to Tony Benson, APDN's Risk & Security Director, based in the United Kingdom.Mr. Benson commented, "I am very pleased to be able to work with Chris.His vast technical knowledge and experience are valued assets for APDN and will help to deliver top-notch solutions for clients and grow our European markets."

Said Dr. James A. Hayward, President and CEO of Applied DNA Sciences, "Chris Taylor brings to the company world class skills in management, in guiding advanced technical products to market, and in all aspects of forensic marking.His blue chip experience with recognized firms in our space will serve the company well as we challenge for leadership in our markets in Europe."

About Applied DNA Sciences

APDN is a provider of botanical-DNA based security and authentication solutions that can help protect products, brands and intellectual property of companies, governments and consumers from theft, counterfeiting, fraud and diversion. SigNature DNA and smartDNA, our principal anti-counterfeiting and product authentication solutions that essentially cannot be copied, provide a forensic chain of evidence and can be used to prosecute perpetrators.

The statements made by APDN may be forward-looking in nature.Forward-looking statements describe APDN's future plans, projections, strategies and expectations, and are based on assumptions and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of APDN. Actual results could differ materially from those projected due to our short operating history, limited financial resources, limited market acceptance, market competition and various other factors detailed from time to time in APDN's SEC reports and filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on December 20, 2012 and our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.APDN undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances after the date hereof to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

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Applied DNA Sciences Announces New Director of Europe Operations, Chris Taylor

8 March 2013 Last updated at 14:25 ET

Preliminary tests have found six new beef products that may contain horse DNA, the Food Standards Agency says.

The checks were conducted by local councils following the earlier recalls of supermarket and caterer meat products containing horsemeat.

They also found three beef products with pig DNA above a 1% threshold.

The FSA has lifted its suspension of the Peter Boddy slaughterhouse in Todmorden, West Yorkshire, raided in the wake of the horsemeat scandal.

The company denied any wrongdoing after FSA officials attended the site last month as part of its inquiry into the alleged mislabelling of horsemeat.

In a statement, the FSA said it "has now decided to lift the suspension of the approval of this slaughterhouse, which means it will once again be allowed to operate".

The FSA has requested that local authorities test minced beef products and ready meals sold at shops, wholesalers and catering suppliers for horse and pig DNA above a 1% threshold.

It said 212 out of 224 samples on minced beef-based products had tested negative.

It said further tests will now be carried out on seven samples taken from the six beef products that may contain horse DNA, as well as on three products suspected of containing pig DNA.

Originally posted here:
'Horse DNA ' found in more products

Preliminary tests on beef products for traces of other meats have found seven samples may contain horse DNA above 1%, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has said.

Further tests will now be carried out on the samples, which come from six different products.

The checks also found three products that contain levels of pig DNA above 1%.

These have already been listed on the companies' websites and are Asda's spaghetti and meatballs, its beef cannelloni and Apetito beef lasagne, the agency said.

Both Asda products have been withdrawn from sale while Apetito has indicated that almost all of its product will have been served although unused stock can be returned.

The test results represent the first and second phase of testing by the FSA with samples taken from a wide range of businesses including shops, wholesale and catering suppliers to schools and hospitals.

The agency said in a statement: "For phase one, two products contain levels of pig DNA above 1%. So far, no products are verified as containing horse DNA at a level above 1%. Preliminary tests show that seven samples, representing six different products, may contain horse DNA above 1% and a further three may contain pig DNA above 1%. However, further checks are needed to verify this. Where levels over the 1% threshold are confirmed, the FSA will publish details as soon as this information is received. For phase two, one product tested to date contains levels of pig DNA above 1%; none contain horse DNA above this level. Full results of phase two are awaited."

Many of the UK's biggest food firms and supermarkets have recalled beef products after tests found they contained horse DNA.

The first phase of testing saw 224 samples of minced beef products including burgers, minced beef, beef sausage or meatballs checked for horse and pig DNA, while the second involves 140 samples of beef-based ready meals including frozen, chilled or canned lasagne, chilli con carne, cottage pie, ravioli, cannelloni and spaghetti bolognese being tested for horse and pig DNA. A third phase of testing is seeing a further 150 samples examined for traces of horse DNA. Full details of the sampling programme are to be published in a report by the FSA next month.

The agency also said that it has lifted its suspension of the Peter Boddy slaughterhouse in Todmorden, West Yorkshire, after it was raided as part of the investigation on February 12.

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Beef product tests find horse DNA

Illumina will work with SynapDxs to find a blood-test that could allow treatment to start earlier.

Massachusetts startup SynapDx announced on Wednesday that it will work with DNA sequencer manufacturer Illumina to develop early detection tools for autism spectrum disorders, according to a release.

SynapDx is trying to develop a blood-based test that will catch most cases of autism spectrum disorders in children earlier than current methods (see Can a Blood Test Detect Autism Early?). The advantage would be that treatments seem to work better the sooner they start. The challenge is that there arent clear biomarkers or genetic signals for the disorder, which is most likely a mix of many different conditions.

But that doesnt seem to deter sequencing giant Illumina, which has been growing the diagnostic side of its business over the last few months (see A Brave New World of Prenatal DNA Sequencing). According to the release:

SynapDx and Illumina share a vision of better pediatric care through the use of advanced molecular assays and sequencing technologies, said Stanley Lapidus, SynapDxs CEO. We look forward to broadly collaborating on multiple joint initiatives.

SynapDx is currently recruiting participants into a clinical study of gene expression and autism in children less than 5 years old, which might help them identify biomarkers of the condition.

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DNA Sequencing Giant Illumina Joins Hunt for Autism Blood Test