ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 May 2001
Page Count: 4

A More Sensitive Method for the Quantitation of Genomic DNA by Alu Amplification
Both, K
Student and senior forensic scientist, Forensic Science Centre, SA

Burgoyne, LA
Professor, School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University of South Australia, SA

Sifis, ME
Student and senior forensic scientist, Forensic Science Centre, SA

(Received 10 October 2001; accepted 24 September 2001)

Abstract

Current procedures for human DNA quantitation reach their limit at 150 pg DNA, which is above the limit of the PCR profiling range using Profiler-Plus^® (Applied Biosystems, CA). This study tested the potential for the use of primate specific Alu sequences in forensic science for the sensitive detection and quantitation of DNA. A fluorescently labelled primer pair was designed enabling high efficiency amplification of the core Alu sequence within primate DNA. Quantitation was performed by measurement of fluorescence intensity and comparison to a series of standard template DNA amounts via the construction of a standard curve. The new Alu-based quantitation protocol developed has shown its feasibility in more sensitively quantitating (100-2.5 pg) unknown amounts of human DNA for forensic use. The method is compatible with the use and throughput of current forensic procedures.

Keywords:
forensic science, DNA quantitation, primates, Alu elements

Paper ID: JFS15299J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS15299J
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