降解生物检材DNA分析研究新进展

在法医检案过程中,如何从降解生物检材中获得正确的DNA分型是法医学界的一个难题。本文对降解生物检材DNA分析研究取得的新进展进行综述,从检案的各个环节出发对近年来提高DNA分型成功率的方法和技术进行了详细介绍,例如新型遗传标记的开发和二代测序技术的应用等。希望为降解检材的分析提供新的思考和方法。     

二代测序技术在Y染色体遗传标记分型中的法医学应用

法医遗传学领域常利用Y染色体的父系遗传特点,对非重组区遗传标记进行检测并用于亲缘关系鉴定、混合斑检测、家系排查以及种族推断等研究。目前毛细管电泳仍是应用最为广泛的检测技术,基于该技术的商业化检测试剂盒及数据分析处理系统十分成熟。随着生物信息量的增长,传统检测技术通量低的弊端逐渐显现,推动了法医DNA分型技术的革新。近年来,二代测序(next generation sequencing,NGS)技术发展迅速,其应用已被推广到包括法医遗传学在内的各领域,为Y染色体遗传标记的检测提供了新的技术手段。本文就NGS技术应用于法医学Y染色体遗传标记检测的研究现况和应用前景进行阐述,以期为后续司法实务提供新思路。     

二代测序技术在法医学中的应用进展

近几年二代测序(second generation sequencing,SGS)技术的快速发展,使其在通量增大、读长增加的同时测序成本大幅降低,给生物学领域带来了新的突破,也使法医遗传学进入了一个新的发展阶段。本文从测序技术在法医遗传学的应用历程展开,回顾了测序技术对法医学遗传标记检测的重要性。以已有相关法医学研究应用的Roche、Illumina和Life Technologies三大测序技术公司推出的二代测序技术平台为例,探讨其在法医遗传学中的应用现状及潜能。目前可依赖这些平台完成DNA水平遗传标记(SNP、STR)、RNA水平遗传标记(m RNA、micro RNA)及线粒体DNA全基因组的测序。然而,技术产品的推出及验证、分析软件的成熟化、与现有数据库的对接、大数据使用中的伦理问题等都是决定该技术能否替代(或补充)成熟PCR毛细管电泳技术以及普遍应用于案件检测的关键。     

法医学二代测序标准化进展与展望

二代测序技术可检测多种法医遗传标记获取海量序列信息,满足法医学实践中精准个体识别、复杂亲缘关系鉴定、特征刻画等应用需求。国内外已开展大量二代测序法医学应用科研工作,但由于缺乏行业标准,二代测序在我国公安实战中并未得到有效应用。目前,法医学二代测序的标准制定面临检测靶标特殊、测序技术流程和结果分析不统一等挑战。本文从核酸标准参考物、测序技术要求、序列多态STR等位基因命名规则等方面,梳理国外法医学二代测序标准化工作进展,并总结国内二代测序检测行业标准现状,希冀为我国法医学二代测序的标准建设提供思路和参考。     

降解生物检材DNA分析策略的研究进展

生物检材发生降解后的DNA分型是法医DNA领域的难题之一。本文对降解检材分析策略的研究进行综述。分析了目前常用的降解DNA分析方法与技术的优缺点,对近年来新出现的方法,如扩增前降解损伤DNA修复策略、扩增后纯化策略和核小体DNA策略做了介绍,希望能为降解生物检材DNA检验的研究和分析提供思路,为相关应用提供新方法的参考。     

定量PCR技术在法医学中应用的研究

目的研究荧光定量PCR技术在法医学中的应用。方法应用Taqman技术对法医各种生物检材进行DNA定量。结果该定量PCR技术对各种法医生物检材进行了准确定量,并判断检材中是否存在抑制物,从而指导了后续STR的检验。结论定量PCR技术是法医DNA检验中一项不可缺少的辅助技术。     

法医物证学miRNA分析的研究进展

在种属和体液鉴定及降解检材等特殊案件的分析时,转录水平的miRNA所具有的生物属性及表达特点,使其能够发挥基因组DNA所不具备的价值。本文通过概述法医物证学miRNA研究的现状,对法医miRNA分析的研究策略和法医物证学应用前景进行了综述,以期为法医miRNA分析的应用研究提供借鉴。     

焦磷酸测序技术分析单核苷酸多态性在法医学中的应用

单核苷酸多态性（SNP）是新一代的法医学遗传标记,有望成为法医实践中解决高度降解检材及特殊案件DNA鉴定的重要工具。近年来涌现出许多高通量的SNP分析方法,如引物延伸结合时间飞行质谱分析法、微测序法、SNP lex以及焦磷酸测序法等。本文重点对焦磷酸测序技术的原理、步骤及其在法医学中的应用进展进行简要的综述。     

生物信息学在法医学中的应用与展望

自DNA指纹技术应用于司法实践的报道以来,法医DNA分析发挥着越来越重要的作用。近年来,随着基因组学高通量测序技术的快速发展,生物信息学分析手段也逐渐开始与法医学应用结合,极大地扩展了法医物证的分析能力。本文综合阐述了法医遗传学所涉及的基因组、表观组以及转录组生物信息分析相关研究现状以及发展趋势。     

二代测序技术在法医学中的应用

随着二代测序技术的快速发展,其高通量和低成本在生命科学领域应用广泛,测序的通量更高,测序时间和成本不断下降,使得其被广泛应用于微生物研究、古DNA研究、临床诊断、法医学研究等。本文阐述了二代测序技术平台及其遗传标记在法医学中的应用,包括STR分型、SNP分型、HLA基因型预测以及在降解检材中的应用等。     

生物检材中DNA损伤及修复研究进展

从犯罪现场遗留的生物斑迹中提取到的DNA样本可能因为长时间暴露于恶劣的环境中而遭受到各种类型的损伤,导致扩增失败不能获得分型结果。对这些受损伤的DNA样本进行修复并提高其检测成功率,是近年来法庭遗传学领域新的研究热点。本文通过对DNA损伤的原因和类型、DNA损伤修复机制、生物检材中DNA损伤修复研究和应用进行综述,希望能对相关研究和应用提供帮助。     

Informativeness of NGS Analysis for Vaginal Fluid Identification

The identification of vaginal fluids in forensic examinations plays an important role in crime scene reconstruction. Molecular detection of vaginal bacterial communities can lead to the correct discrimination of body fluids. These kinds of studies can be performed through multiplex real‐time PCR using primers for a specific selection of bacteria. The availability of next‐generation sequencing (NGS) protocols provided for the extension of the analysis to evaluate the prokaryotes present in specimens. In this study, DNA was extracted from 18 samples (vaginal, oral, fecal, yoghurt) and analyzed by real‐time PCR and NGS. The comparison between the two approaches has demonstrated that the information developed through NGS can augment the more conventional real‐time PCR detection of a few key bacterial species to provide a more probative result and the correct identification of vaginal fluid from samples that are more forensically challenged.     

An STR Melt Curve Genotyping Assay for Forensic Analysis Employing an Intercalating Dye Probe FRET*

Abstract: The most common markers used in forensic genetics are short tandem repeats (STRs), the alleles of which are separated and analyzed by length using capillary electrophoresis (CE). In this work, proof of concept of a unique STR genotyping approach has been demonstrated using asymmetric PCR and a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)‐based hybridization analysis that combines fluorophore‐labeled allele‐specific probes and a DNA intercalating dye (dpFRET) in a melt match/mismatch analysis format. The system was successfully tested against both a simple (TPOX) and a complex (D3S1358) loci, demonstrated a preliminary detection limit of <10 genomic equivalents with no allelic dropout and mixture identification in both laboratory‐generated and clinical samples. With additional development, this approach has the potential to contribute to advancing the use of STR loci for forensic applications and related fields.     

基于下一代测序的全解析度STR分型研究进展与展望

下一代测序技术具有高通量、高速度、集成化、低成本等显著优势,近年来已在科研和临床诊断领域得到广泛应用,在法医遗传学领域亦具有重要应用前景。当前主流的STR分型方法仅关注序列的长度多态性,然而由于核心重复结构存在差异或扩增区段内存在SNP,序列长度相等的等位基因可能是具有遗传稳定性的完全不同的等位基因,此类STR序列多态性是个体识别或亲缘关系分析的宝贵资源。基于下一代测序的STR分型在现有数据输出方式基础上,允许进一步关注STR的序列多态性,对STR基因座进行全解析度分型,显著提升STR基因座的个体识别能力。本文以法医STR遗传标记和下一代测序技术为关注焦点,系统综述基于下一代测序的全解析度STR分型领域国际最新研究进展,深入探讨该技术在法医DNA实验室的实际应用潜力和可能面临的挑战,希冀对相关研究和实践提供参考。     

Scientific standards for studies in forensic genetics

Forensic molecular genetics has evolved from a rapidly developing field with changing technologies into a highly recognized and generally accepted forensic science, leading to the establishment of national DNA databases with DNA profiles from suspects and convicted offenders. DNA evidence has taken a central role by carrying a significant weight for convictions, as well as by excluding innocent suspects early on in a criminal investigation. Due to this impact on the criminal justice system, guidelines for research in forensic genetics have been introduced already since many years. The most important issues regarding the selection and definition of typing systems both for paternity testing and for forensic identification, the criteria for technical and biostatistical validation, as well as the use of mitochondrial DNA analysis are summarized and discussed.     

Detection of microRNAs in DNA Extractions for Forensic Biological Source Identification

Molecular‐based approaches for biological source identification are of great interest in the forensic community because of a lack of sensitivity and specificity in current methods. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been considered due to their robust nature and tissue specificity; however, analysis requires a separate RNA extraction, requiring an additional step in the forensic analysis workflow. The purpose of this study was to evaluate miRNA detection in blood, semen, and saliva using DNA extraction methods commonly utilized for forensic casework. RT‐qPCR analysis revealed that the tested miRNAs were consistently detectable across most tested DNA extraction methods, but detection was significantly reduced compared to RNA extracts in some biological fluids. DNase treatment was not necessary to achieve miRNA‐specific results. A previously developed miRNA panel for forensic body fluid identification was evaluated using DNA extracts, and largely demonstrated concordance with results from samples deriving from RNA extracts of semen, blood, and saliva.     

Species identification in routine casework samples using the SPInDel kit

The identification of species in casework samples is of fundamental importance for forensic investigations. Laboratories are increasingly compelled to provide accurate and fast identifications in trace materials left on crime scenes, wildlife poaching, illegal trade of protected species, fraudulent food products cases, etc. However, the field of nonhuman forensic genetics is still working on the standardization of typing methods and practices. Here we describe the successful implementation of the Species Identification by Insertions/Deletions (SPInDel) method in routine casework analyses in 11 laboratories worldwide. The SPInDel was developed to detect human DNA, at the same time that identifies common animal species. The fragment size analysis of six mtDNA regions allows identification in suboptimal DNA samples, including mixtures, with no need for sequencing. The samples were collected from 2013 to 2018 and included hair, blood, meat, saliva, faeces, bones, etc. The SPInDel kit successfully identified >95% of the samples, being dog, human and pig the most frequently detected species. The six SPInDel loci were successfully amplified in mixtures and degraded samples (river water, sand, stains in clothes, etc.). Interestingly, several species that were not originally targeted by SPInDel primers were also identified (e.g., red fox, brown bear, fallow deer and red deer). In conclusion, the SPInDel kit was successfully used in crime scene investigations (often involving human DNA detection) and in cases of poaching, environmental contamination and food fraud. It is now becoming a useful tool for the routine analysis of nonhuman DNA samples within the high quality standards of forensic genetics.     

Human Leukocyte Antigen alleles as an aid to STR in complex forensic DNA samples

Human biological samples with multiple contributors remain one of the most challenging aspects of DNA typing within a forensic science context. With the increasing sensitivity of commercially available kits allowing detection of low template DNA, complex mixtures are now a standard component of forensic DNA evidence. Over the years, various methods and techniques have been developed to try to resolve the issue of mixed profiles. However, forensic DNA analysis has relied on the same markers to generate DNA profiles for the past 30 years causing considerable challenges in the deconvolution of complex mixed samples. The future of resolving complicated DNA mixtures may rely on utilising markers that have been previously applied to gene typing of non-forensic relevance. With Massively Parallel Sequencing (MPS), techniques becoming more popular and accessible even epigenetic markers have become a source of interest for forensic scientists.The aim of this review is to consider the potential of alleles from the Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) complex as effective forensic markers. While Massively Parallel Sequencing of HLA is routinely used in clinical laboratories in fields such as transplantation, pharmacology or population studies, there have not been any studies testing its suitability for forensic casework samples.