New microfluidic DNA analysis system for forensics applications demonstrated by NIST.Modern forensic 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. systems are currently based on the separation of 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. fragments by capillary electrophoresis Capillary electrophoresis (CE), also known as capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE), can be used to separate ionic species by their charge and frictional forces. In traditional electrophoresis, electrically charged analytes move in a conductive liquid medium under the , a process which typically takes 40 min. Unfortunately, there is a large backlog of DNA criminal tests in the United States, prompting the need for the development of new methods. Using a microfluidic device, researchers at NIST (National Institute of Standards & Technology, Washington, DC, www.nist.gov) The standards-defining agency of the U.S. government, formerly the National Bureau of Standards. It is one of three agencies that fall under the Technology Administration (www.technology. have demonstrated a separation of a DNA ladder with fragments ranging from 50 to 550 base pairs in 4 min. This effort to develop a rapid DNA analysis system for forensics See computer forensics. using microfluidic systems is being sponsored by the Department of Justice (National Institute of Justice, Office of Science and Technology, Investigative and Forensic Sciences Division's Program on DNA Research and Development). Microfluidic technology is a promising alternative to capillary-based techniques due to its great potential to miniaturize min·i·a·tur·ize tr.v. min·i·a·tur·ized, min·i·a·tur·iz·ing, min·i·a·tur·iz·es To plan or make on a greatly reduced scale. min , simplify, integrate, automate, and multiplex the analysis with higher throughput and speed. Although DNA analysis systems based on microfluidics technology recently have been commercialized for DNA sequencing applications, these systems do not meet the specific needs of the forensic community due to poor separation resolution of the relatively long fragments (order 100 bps to 400 bps) as well as incompatibility with standard test procedures. The team involved in this effort includes NIST, the National Institutes of Health, Northwestern University, and a private company. CONTACT: Michael Gaitan, (301) 975-2070; michael.gaitan@nist.gov or Laurie Locascio, (301) 975-3130; locascio@nist.gov. |
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