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Horizon Newsletter – February 2026

We’re gearing up for another ASCLD Symposium and are excited to be part of 2026’s packed agenda! We’re hosting two plenary talks and one deep dive session. Scroll for a preview of SigSci Forensics on the agenda. Dates & Times TBA! View full Horizon Newsletter and sign up for future updates here. MORE

New Preprint: Predicting Neutron Radiation Exposure Characteristics from an in vitro Human Skin Model Using RNA-seq

Abstract: Accurate assessment of low-dose neutron radiation exposure remains a central challenge in biodosimetry, particularly for applications requiring non-invasive sample types such as skin. Here, we characterized the transcriptional response of a three-dimensional in vitro human skin model (EpiDermFT) to neutron irradiation at … MORE

Dr. Ben H. Thacker Joins Signature Science’s Managers Committee

Thacker serves as Chief Operating Officer of Southwest Research Institute. AUSTIN, TX – February 10, 2026 – Signature Science, LLC is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Ben H. Thacker, P.E. to its Managers Committee following his appointment as Southwest … MORE

Published in “Applied Biosafety”: Inter-tool Analysis of a NIST Dataset for Assessing Baseline Nucleic Acid Sequence Screening

Abstract: Introduction: Nucleic acid synthesis is a dual-use technology that can benefit fields such as biology, medicine, and information storage. However, synthetic nucleic acids could also potentially be used negligently and ultimately cause harm, or be used with malicious intent to cause … MORE

Horizon Newsletter – November 2025

Collaboration Leads to a Breakthrough in a Case That’s Close to Home After over 30 years, breakthroughs in forensic science have led investigators to identify a person of interest in the 1991 murders of four young Austin-area girls; Eliza Thomas, Amy Ayers, and sisters Jennifer Harbison and Sarah Harbison. Announced at a media briefing held by the City of Austin on September 29, this development in the “Yogurt Shop Murders” case represents the outcome of years of tireless commitment, open communication, and coordinated efforts across the forensic and law enforcement communities. As members of the Austin community, headquartered just a mile from … MORE

Viruses swirl into an electrified sensor

Signature Science Membership on ARPA-H BREATHE Program Team Announced

October 22, 2025 • A press release issued by The University of Virginia Biocomplexity Institute announced that the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) has awarded a contract for up to $40 million through its Bioaerosol Risk Assessment interVention Engineering … MORE

shield defending against various viruses

NIST Center for AI Standards and Innovation Selects Signature Science, LLC for AI Safety Basic Ordering Agreement

Company will apply biological and chemical threat expertise to evaluate AI models for risk of malicious misuse. AUSTIN, TEXAS – October 21, 2025 – Signature Science, LLC, has been selected for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Center for … MORE

SIlhouette of a man with a dna helix in front

Authorized Statement on the Yogurt Shop Murders Investigation  

October 07, 2025 – After over 30 years, breakthroughs in forensic science have led investigators to identify a person of interest in the 1991 murders of four young Austin-area girls; Eliza Thomas, Amy Ayers, and sisters Jennifer Harbison and Sarah … MORE

Close up on a raised hand in a classroom setting

Horizon Newsletter – July 2025

We’re excited to launch our new dedicated forensics website designed to make working with Signature Science easier and more efficient than ever before!  The new website features: Comprehensive Forensic DNA Testing Services – In-depth information on our full suite of forensic DNA testing capabilities Streamlined … MORE

Image of two women smiling. Text reads 2025 SigSci Interns

Our Interns’ Summer with SigSci Forensics

Each summer, Signature Science, LLC welcomes at least one intern to assist with research in our Center for Advanced Genomics (CAG). The research and validations performed at the CAG are shared with the forensic community in the form of open-source … MORE

Green background image of DNA helix. Text reads An Evaluation of Biothreat Screening Tools

New Preprint: Inter-Tool Analysis of a NIST Dataset for Assessing Baseline Nucleic Acid Sequence Screening

Abstract: Nucleic acid synthesis is a dual-use technology that can benefit fields such as biology, medicine, and information storage. However, synthetic nucleic acids could also potentially be used negligently and ultimately cause harm, or be used with malicious intent to cause … MORE

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