Development of multiplex PCR and linear array probe assay targeting informative polymorphisms within the entire mitochondrial genome.

The goal of this project is to develop a simple assay to detect mtDNA variation in both the control region (which is typically sequenced in forensic analysis) as well as specific coding region variants (which are used to resolve common haplotypes). This work will build on the immobilized linear array assay that targeted the control region (developed by this grantee under 1996-IJ-CX-0028 and recently commercialized by Roche Molecular Systems) and the work of Dr. Tom Parsons (2000-IJ-CX-K010), which identified coding region SNPs capable of resolving common haplotypes. The linear array method can accommodate up to 85 probes, which would allow the entire battery of relevant control and coding region mtDNA SNPs to be included on a single linear array strip if desired. ca/ncf