Quantitation and Characterization of Human Nuclear and Mitochondrial DNA
- Summary
- OSUresearchers have invented a unique PCR method, Quantitative TemplateAmplification Technology (Q-TAT), that simultaneously amplifies DNA, determinesthe amount of human nuclear and mitochondrial DNA present in a forensic sample,determines the gender of the DNA donor, assesses the quality of the DNA, and determineswhether or not the sample contains significant levels of PCR inhibitors thatwould interfere with amplification.
- Technology Benefits
- Highly sensitive and reproducibleEnables forensic DNA-typing labs to useexisting technology and instrumentationPermits simultaneous quantification of bothnuclear and mitochondrial DNALess expensive than current methods
- Technology Application
- Forensic analysis of DNA samples
- Detailed Technology Description
- None
- *Abstract
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None
- *Background
- Standard9.3 of the Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratoriesmandates that forensic DNA-typing laboratories must determine the amount ofhuman genomic DNA recovered from every sample. In order for DNA to be typed, itmust be amplified using a method called polymerase chain-reaction (PCR). ConventionalPCR methods amplify DNA but do not provide information as to the quantity ofDNA present in the sample, which requires additional materials andinstrumentation. This means that DNA forensic laboratories musteither invest in expensive equipment and training or subcontract the quantificationwork to other labs. In addition, currentproducts available for quantifying human DNA are limited to determining theamount of either nuclear DNA or mitochondrial DNA in the sample, and theprocess must be repeated in order to quantify the rest of the DNA in the sample. A product is needed that simultaneously quantifiesboth nuclear DNA and mitochondrial DNA without the need for additionalmaterials or instrumentation.
- *Stage of Development
- Prototype has been developed.
- Country/Region
- USA

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