• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.79-84
• /
• 2016

A small and inexpensive thermal cycler (PCR machine), known as the MiniPCR^TM Mini8 Thermal Cycler (Amplyus, Cambridge, MA, USA), was developed. In this study, the performance of this PCR machine was compared with the GeneAmp^® PCR system 9700 (Applied Biosystems) using four autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) kits, a Y-chromosome STR kit, and a mitochondrial DNA HV1/HV2 sequence analysis. The sensitivity and stochastic effects of the STR multiplex kits and the quality of the DNA sequence analysis were similar between the two PCR machines. The MiniPCR^TM Mini8 Thermal Cycler could be used for analyses at forensic DNA laboratories and crime scenes. The cost of the PCR is so economical that school laboratories and individuals could use the machines.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.193-196
• /
• 2010

Multiplex PCR-based short tandem repeat (STR) analysis is considered as a good tool for monitoring bone marrow engraftment after sex-mismatched allogeneic transplantation and provides a sensitive and accurate assessment of the contribution of both donor and/or recipient cells in post-transplantation specimens. Forensic STR analysis and quantitative real time PCR are used to determine the proportion of donor versus recipient each contained within the total DNA. The STR markers were co-amplified in a single reaction by using commercial $PowerPlex^{(R)}$ 16 system and $AmpFISTR^{(R)}$ $Identifiler^{(R)}$ / $Yfiler^{(R)}$ PCR amplification kits. Separation of the PCR products and fluorescence detection were performed by ABI $PRIS^{(R)}$ 3100 Genetic Analyzer with capillary electrophoresis. The $GeneMapper^{TM}$ ID software were used for size calling and analysis of STR profiles. Extracted DNA was quantified by the $Quantifiler^{TM}$ Human DNA / Y Human Male DNA Quantification Kit The intent of this study was to analyze the ratio of donor versus recipient cells in the post-transplant peripheral blood, spleen, lung and kidney specimens. Specimens were taken from the traffic accident male victim who had been engrafted from bone marrow female donor. Blood and spleen specimens displayed female donor DNA profile. Kidney specimen showed male recipient DNA profile. Interestingly, lung tissue showed mixed profiles. The findings of this study indicate that the forensic STR analysis using fluorescence labeling PCR combined with capillary electrophoresis is quick and reliable enough to assess the ratio of donor versus recipient cells and to monitor the mixed chimeric patterns.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.151-155
• /
• 2011

Short tandem repeats (STRs) loci are the genetic markers used for forensic human identity test. With multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, STRs are examined and measured PCR product length relative to sequenced allelic ladders. In the repeat region and the flanking region of the commonly-used STR may have DNA sequence variation. A mismatch due to sequence variation in the DNA template may cause allele drop-out (i.e., a "null" or "silent" allele) when it falls within PCR primer binding sites. The STR markers were co-amplified in a single reaction by using commercial PowerPlex$^{(R)}$ 16 system and AmpFlSTR$^{(R)}$ Identifiler$^{(R)}$ PCR amplification kits. Separation of the PCR products and fluorescence detection were performed by ABI PRISM$^{(R)}$ 3100 Genetic Analyzer with capillary electrophoresis. The GeneMapper$^{TM}$ ID software were used for size calling and analysis of STR profiles. Here, this study described a forensic human identity test in which allelic drop-out occurred in the STR system D18S51. During the course of human identity test, two samples with a homozygous (16, 16 and 21, 21) genotype at D18S51 locus were discovered using the PowerPlex$^{(R)}$ 16 system. The loss of alleles was confirmed when the samples were amplified using AmpFlSTR$^{(R)}$ Identifiler$^{(R)}$ PCR amplification kit and resulted in a heterozygous (16, 20 and 20, 21) genotype at this locus each other. This discrepancy results suggest that appropriate measures should be taken for database comparisons and that allele should be further investigated by sequence analysis and be reported to the forensic community.