Denver Police Department, Crime Laboratory Bureau: Forensic DNA Research and Development - Sperm Capture Using Aptamer Based Technology

Aptamers are single-stranded nucleic acid molecules with molecular recognition properties comparable to antibodies, although often with even higher specificity. The goal of this project is to develop an assay that uses aptamers to capture and separate spermatozoa found in sexual assault evidence prior to DNA extraction. The assay will allow for the immobilization of spermatozoa on a solid matrix, such as a coated 96-well plate, beads, or other suitable matrices. This sperm-capture assay can be automated for high-throughput processing and could therefore greatly decrease the amount of time required to develop male DNA profiles from sexual assault evidence in a cost effective manner. ca/ncf