High Throughput Mass Spectrometry to Exploit Genetic Differences in Same-Length STR Alleles

The goal of this project is to build upon work performed under 2006-DN-BX-K011, which successfully demonstrated the use of mass spectrometry to analyze Short Tandem Repeat (STR) forensic DNA markers. The current project will expand the approach to the analysis of Y-chromosome STRs; compile information on the frequency of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) found within the STRs; and analyze samples linked by extended family relationships to verify the faithful transmission of SNP alleles among generations. Further development and validation of this mass spectrometry platform will result in a DNA crime laboratory tool that provides increased discriminatory power while offering the throughput advantages of a fully automated platform.

ca/ncf