New Technology: Fluorescent STR Analysis

New DNA Technologies are revolutionizing human and veterinary identity and parentage analyses. The new technologies are more accurate, more sensitive, more rapid, and less expensive than previous technologies. The newest of the DNA-based technologies is based on an analysis of hypervariable microsatellites that are ubiquitous in the genomic DNA of higher plants and animals. This technology is referred to as “microsatellite” or “STR” analysis. The technology has only recently (December, 1997) been accepted for use with humans for the purpose of criminal identification by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in the United States. It is just in the beginning stages of being applied for this purpose. Even more recently, the technology has been adapted to veterinary and agricultural systems; e.g., bovine, canine, etc. This technology is now becoming accepted in the U.S. and other countries, but has not yet been widely applied. Commonwealth Biotechnologies, Inc., has positioned itself to be a leader in the provision of these services.

Advantages of the STR/microsatellite technology as compared to other technologies:

• more accurate and reproducible
• more sensitive (a few hairs, skin, buccal swab)
• fewer errors
• more rapid turnaround
• less expensive

Identity and Parentage/Paternity Testing

Applications of STR-based DNA Identity/Paternity testing:

• Human Identity testing for criminal databases
• Human paternity testing
• Veterinary parentage testing (pedigree, lineage verification) of:
  • horses
  • cattle
  • pigs

Genetic Testing

Inherited Genetic Deficiencies

A variety of DNA/RNA sequence based genetic tests are available for the identification of human genes with genetic defects. Human oncogenes (p53, BRCA1, BRCA2, etc.) associated with human tumors are an obvious target for such analysis, as are genes associated with severe heritable genetic diseases. Similarly, there are many heritable genetic defects in domestic animals (horses, cattle, dogs, pigs) for which the relevant genes have been identified and molecularly characterized.

Occasionally, it is important to identify these genes in the affected individual, human or animal. Usually, identification of the genes requires sequence analysis. CBI maintains Perkin-Elmer Applied Biosystems DNA Sequencers that allow direct identification of heterozygous mutations. (please inquire).

Please call 800-735-9224 or e-mail for additional information or a quotation.