Applied Biosystems Introduces New Product for Detecting and Discriminating Male DNA in Mixed Male/Female Samples.FOSTER CITY, Calif. -- New Kit Expected to Improve the Resolution of Sexual Assault Cases Applied Biosystems (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :ABI Abi (ā`bī) [short for Abijah], in the Bible, King Hezekiah's mother. (Application Binary Interface) A specification for a specific hardware platform combined with the operating system. ), an Applera Corporation business, today announced the introduction of a new forensic identification kit for the specific detection of male DNA DNA: see nucleic acid. DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid One of two types of nucleic acid (the other is RNA); a complex organic compound found in all living cells and many viruses. It is the chemical substance of genes. . The AmpFlSTR(R) Yfiler(TM) PCR PCR polymerase chain reaction. PCR abbr. polymerase chain reaction Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) Amplification Kit enables forensic scientists to detect low levels of male DNA in the presence of large amounts of female DNA, a situation routinely encountered in cases of sexual assault. "Identifying, segregating, and analyzing male DNA in sexual assault cases and other cases involving complex evidence containing mixtures of male and female DNA has previously been a significant challenge for forensic analysts," said Catherine M. Burzik, President of Applied Biosystems. "The sensitivity and specificity of the Yfiler kit provides an additional tool for the analysis of problematic mixture samples." The Yfiler kit detects male DNA in samples containing greater than 1:1000 male:female mixture ratios. In addition, the Yfiler kit is extremely sensitive, providing complete male DNA profiles with less than 125 pg of input DNA. The Yfiler kit provides a tool for detecting low-level male contributors to samples via amplification of male-specific (Y chromosome Y chromosome, n a sex chromosome that in humans and many other species is present only in the male, appearing singly in the normal male. It is carried as a sex determinant by one half of the male gametes. None of the female gametes contain a Y chromosome. ) short tandem repeats (STRs). The Yfiler assay co-amplifies 17 Y-chromosome STR STR abbr. synchronous transmitter receiver regions in a single PCR reaction. STRs are repeated DNA sequences that are variable in length and are widespread throughout the human genome. Such variability allows discrimination among individuals in a population, which is useful for identification in forensic cases and paternity testing paternity testing see parentage testing. . The regions amplified by the Yfiler kit include the core set of nine loci loci [L.] plural of locus. loci Plural of locus, see there defined as the European Minimal Haplotype haplotype /hap·lo·type/ (-tip) the group of alleles of linked genes, e.g., the HLA complex, contributed by either parent; the haploid genetic constitution contributed by either parent. hap·lo·type n. and the two loci recommended by the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis DNA analysis Any technique used to analyze genes and DNA. See Chromosome walking, DNA fingerprinting, Footprinting, In situ hybridization, Jeffries' probe, Jumping libraries, PCR, RFLP analysis, Southern blot hybridization. Methods (SWGDAM). Six additional highly polymorphic loci have been added to the kit, significantly increasing the discrimination capacity of haplotype analysis. "DNA analysis using short tandem repeats (STRs) has been the leading technology in human identification for a number of years," said Mark P. Stevenson, Division President of Applied Markets for Applied Biosystems. "Recently, many labs have discovered the value of Y chromosome STRs (Y-STRs) for typing male specimens. Y-STR markers can be useful in the interpretation of male/female mixtures, as the female portion does not contribute to the amplified profile." The new kit is designed for use with the Applied Biosystems Quantifiler(TM) Y and Quantifiler(TM) Human Quantification Kits. Combined with the Yfiler(TM) kit, the Quantifiler kits allow analysts to determine the amount of human DNA or male-specific DNA present in samples. This information can be used to select the appropriate short tandem repeat (STR) analysis method. Together these products are expected to help forensic laboratories streamline their workflow and minimize the need for repeat analysis. The Yfiler kit is supplemented by the development of a haplotype database containing over 3,000 population samples typed using the Yfiler kit. The database provides the forensic scientist with the ability to estimate the occurrence of male profiles in various ethnic populations. The database will be easily accessible via the Internet through the Applied Biosystems Web site. The Yfiler kit is part of an integrated system that includes reagents, genetic analysis instruments, software, technical support, and limited license rights. It has been developed for use with the ABI PRISM(R) 3100 Genetic Analyzer, ABI PRISM(R) 3100-Avant and the ABI PRISM(R) 310 Genetic Analyzer, and is expected to be available on the new 3130 Series Genetic Analyzers in the beginning of calendar year 2005. Data generated from the Yfiler kit can be analyzed with Applied Biosystems software packages including GeneScan(R) Software v 3.7.1, Genotyper(R) Software v 3.7 and GeneMapper(R) ID Software v 3.2. Applied Biosystems is the leading provider of technologies for the forensic community. In addition to real-time PCR-based kits for sample quantification, Applied Biosystems provides a comprehensive set of advanced DNA technologies that allow analysts to determine human identity to one person in one trillion. These technologies allow laboratories to establish paternity The state or condition of a father; the relationship of a father. English and U.S. Common Law have recognized the importance of establishing the paternity of children. , identify the remains of military personnel or disaster victims, and to identify victims and perpetrators associated with criminal investigations. About Applera Corporation and Applied Biosystems Applera Corporation consists of two operating groups. The Applied Biosystems Group serves the life science industry and research community by developing and marketing instrument-based systems, consumables, software, and services. Customers use these tools to analyze nucleic acids Nucleic acids The cellular molecules DNA and RNA that act as coded instructions for the production of proteins and are copied for transmission of inherited traits. (DNA and RNA RNA: see nucleic acid. RNA in full ribonucleic acid One of the two main types of nucleic acid (the other being DNA), which functions in cellular protein synthesis in all living cells and replaces DNA as the carrier of genetic ), small molecules, and proteins to make scientific discoveries, develop new pharmaceuticals, and conduct standardized testing. Applied Biosystems is headquartered in Foster City, CA, and reported sales of $1.7 billion during fiscal 2004. The Celera Genomics Group (NYSE:CRA See Community Reinvestment Act. ) is engaged principally in the discovery and development of targeted therapeutics for cancer, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Celera Genomics is leveraging its proteomic, bioinformatic, and genomic capabilities to identify and validate drug targets, and to discover and develop small molecule therapeutics. It is also seeking to advance therapeutic antibody and selected small molecule drug programs in collaboration with global technology and market leaders. Celera Diagnostics, a 50/50 joint venture between Applied Biosystems and Celera Genomics, is focused on discovery, development, and commercialization of diagnostic products. Information about Applera Corporation, including reports and other information filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is available at http://www.applera.com, or by telephoning 800-762-6923. Information about Applied Biosystems is available at http://www.appliedbiosystems.com/. Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking. These may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as "potential" among others. These forward-looking statements are based on Applera Corporation's current expectations. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) implemented several significant substantive changes affecting certain cases brought under the federal securities laws, including changes related to pleading, discovery, liability, class representation and awards fees and of 1995 provides a "safe harbor Safe Harbor 1. A legal provision to reduce or eliminate liability as long as good faith is demonstrated. 2. A form of shark repellent implemented by a target company acquiring a business that is so poorly regulated that the target itself is less attractive. " for such forward-looking statements. In order to comply with the terms of the safe harbor, Applera Corporation notes that a variety of factors could cause actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements. These factors include but are not limited to (1) rapidly changing technology and dependence on development of new products; (2) sales dependent on customers' capital spending capital spending Spending for long-term assets such as factories, equipment, machinery, and buildings that permits the production of more goods and services in future years. policies; (3) claims for patent infringement patent infringement n. the manufacture and/or use of an invention or improvement for which someone else owns a patent issued by the government, without obtaining permission of the owner of the patent by contract, license or waiver. ; and other factors that might be described from time to time in Applera Corporation's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information in this press release is as of the date of the release, and Applera does not undertake any duty to update this information, including any forward-looking statements, unless required by law. Copyright(C) 2004. Applera Corporation. All rights reserved. Applied Biosystems, ABI PRISM, AmpFlSTR, and Celera are registered trademark and Applera, Celera Diagnostics, Celera Genomics, Quantifiler and Yfiler are trademarks of Applera Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or certain other countries. For Research, Forensic, or Paternity Testing Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures. |
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