全基因组扩增技术应用于法医学的进展

全基因组扩增(whole genome amplification,WGA)技术是一种对全部基因组序列进行非选择性扩增的技术。对微量模板DNA的检验,一直是法医物证学特别关注和急需解决的难题之一。近年来,对WGA技术的的研究发展日渐深入,研究成果有望应用于法医DNA检验中各类微量检材的检验。本文综述了WGA技术在法医物证学中的研究进展和应用前景,为法医物证工作者提供参考。     

Alu家族在法医DNA分析中的应用

Alu家族是灵长类特有的短散在重复序列,在人类基因组内含量丰富,分布广泛,甲基化程度高,有种属特异性和插入变异,为法医DNA分析面临的许多问题提供了潜在的解决途径。目前,Alu元件在法医DNA分析中的应用包括:DNA定量、种属鉴定、种族鉴定、性别鉴定、个体识别和亲子鉴定,以及全基因组扩增等。本文总结各种基于Alu元件的法医DNA分析技术的原理和特点,探讨Alu元件的法医学研究和应用前景,供相关学者参考。     

全基因组扩增技术的法医学应用价值及其结果评价

微量模板DNA的分析,一直是法医学特别关注和急需解决的难题之一,近年发展起来的一系列技术为解决这一问题提供了新的可能途径,本文即对微量模板DNA分析技术的进展和目前逐步发展的全基因组扩增技术的法医学应用价值、结果评价进行浅议。     

法医提取微量物证的方法

本文就法医如何提取微量物证进行了讨论,并简介常见的法医提取微量物证的方法和注意事项。只有注意搜寻那些肉眼难于发现的微小物证,掌握正确的提取方法才能为进一步检验鉴定提供可靠的物质基础,为及时侦破案件提供依据。     

多重置换扩增技术及其法医学应用展望

多重置换扩增技术(multiple displacement amplification,MDA)是一种新型的全基因组扩增技术,具有操作简单、产物质量好、产物量稳定和扩增较均衡的优点,可以扩增低拷贝、混合、降解、含抑制物的DNA检材,为后续分析提供良好的高质量的扩增产物,在法医物证学领域具有很大的应用潜力,本文对该项技术的研究进展及应用前景进行综述。     

全基因组扩增法应用于低拷贝数DNA检测

目的建立基于多重置换扩增(MDA)技术的全基因组扩增(WGA)方法,实现对低拷贝数(LCN)DNA样品进行分析。方法采用REPLI-g试剂盒对样本进行等温全基因组扩增,扩增产物采用ProfilerPlus试剂盒确定样本的十个STR基因座的等位基因型。结果10pgDNA模板经全基因组扩增后,能够进行DNA分型。结论全基因组扩增可以用于LCN的DNA分析,帮助提高微量物证的检出成功率。     

全基因组扩增在微量检材DNA分型中的应用

目的探索全基因组扩增技术对微量检材DNA分型的有效性。方法通过显微操作制备含1~20个细胞的模拟微量检材样本,在常规PCR-STR分型前加入全基因组扩增步骤,从等位基因不平衡、等位基因丢失、基因座丢失、伪等位基因(包含stutter峰)等方面探究PEP和MDA两种全基因组扩增方法对微量检材DNA分型的有效性。结果 MDA扩增效率高于PEP,但等位基因丢失和伪等位基因严重;PEP方法的正确分型率高于MDA,但小片段DNA优势扩增现象较严重。结论 MDA方法并不适合目前以STR分型为主导的法庭科学,当微量检材样本的绝对量相当少时,可以考虑使用PEP方法来扩大样本量,以满足重复检验的要求,但可能面临大片段DNA扩增失败的风险。     

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。     

表观遗传学在法医学应用探讨

表观遗传学指没有DNA序列变化的、可遗传的基因表达改变。主要包括DNA甲基化、X染色体剂量补偿、组蛋白修饰、基因组印记、表观基因组学和人类表观基因组计划等方面的内容。在法医实际检案中常遇到一些特殊问题,如妊娠期胎儿父权的认定,单亲鉴定中亲代必需等位基因的确定,同卵双生子的区分,微量组织来源的鉴定等。本文对表观遗传学的基本内容和在法医学中的应用进行综述,以期为相关研究及实践提供参考。     

混合斑中精子细胞分离及其DNA制备方法

目的尝试建立一种检测混合斑中精子细胞的方法。方法使用显微操作法捕获精子细胞,全基因组扩增(多重置换扩增)精子细胞DNA。结果对10管精斑检材的全基因组扩增,获得了高产、保真的产物。使用50μL体系对20个精子细胞直接进行全基因组扩增,省去了对起始模板的纯化过程,DNA扩增倍数达30000倍以上,片段长度大多在15 kb以上,其STRs复合扩增分型结果有可参照性。结论显微操作法可以有效捕获精子细胞,排除干扰,多重置换扩增可以提供足够量的产物用于法医DNA分析,该方法具有可行性。     

低拷贝模板DNA分析技术研究进展

近年来,低拷贝（LCN）模板类生物物证在法医DNA分析中占有了越来越重要的地位。用于低拷贝模板DNA的检测方法也得到飞速发展。本文通过对各种LCN-DNA分析技术如增加扩增循环数、纯化扩增产物、全基因组扩增、激光捕获显微切割等检测方法的综述,以及对LCN—DNA检测结果的分析评价,全面介绍LCN分析技术在法庭科学应用的最新进展及存在问题。最大限度地拓展低拷贝模板类生物物证在刑事司法领域的应用。     

Improved MtDNA sequence analysis of forensic remains using a "mini-primer set" amplification strategy

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis of highly degraded skeletal remains is often used for forensic identification due largely to the high genome copy number per cell. Literature from the "ancient DNA" field has shown that highly degraded samples contain populations of intact DNA molecules that are severely restricted in size (1-4). Hand et al. have demonstrated the targeting and preferential amplification of authentic human DNA sequences with small amplicon products of 150 bp or less (1,2). Given this understanding of ancient DNA preservation and amplification, we report an improved approach to forensic mtDNA analysis of hypervariable regions 1 and 2 (HV1/HV2) in highly degraded specimens. This "mini-primer set" (MPS) amplification strategy consists of four overlapping products that span each of the HV regions and range from 126 to 170 bp, with an average size of 141 bp. For this study, 11 extracts representing a range of sample quality were prepared from nonprobative forensic specimens. We demonstrate a significant increase in MPS amplification success when compared to testing methods using approximately 250 bp amplicons. Further, 16 of 17 independent amplifications previously "unreported" due to mixed sequences provided potentially reportable sequence data from a single, authentic template with MPS testing.     

多重置换扩增技术用于法医学微量DNA检测效果

目的探讨多重置换扩增(MDA)技术对法医学微量DNA样品STR检测分型的效果。方法用MDA技术对不同模板量DNA进行全基因组扩增(WGA),扩增产物用实时荧光定量PCR技术定量、用Profiler PlusTM试剂盒检测基因型。结果该方法可对模板DNA增加104～106倍。1ng样品DNA的MDA产物可获得9个STR基因座和Amelogenin性别基因座的准确分型结果;低于0.1ng的样品DNA经MDA扩增后,基因座检出数增加,但可见等位基因不平衡或丢失现象。结论MDA技术可有效增加DNA模板量和提高微量DNA分型效果。但样品DNA量低于0.1ng时,MDA产物的STR分型结果判读须慎重。     

新一代遗传标记——InDel研究进展

法医DNA分型经历了三代遗传标记的研究,短串联重复序列(short tandem repeat,STR)作为比较成熟的工具已被广泛运用于法医生物学鉴定中。进一步对人类基因组的探索,先后发现了单核苷酸多态性(single nucleotide polymorphism,SNP)、插入/缺失(Insertion/Deletion,InDel)等一系列遗传标记,而其中InDel作为新型的遗传标记,基本兼具各类遗传标记的优点,受到包括医学分子生物学和法医生物学在内各领域的广泛关注。本文就InDel的研究历史与相应的成果进行简单总结与回顾,以时间轴与研究目的为主要的分类指标,重点关注以多个InDel联合作为遗传标记的多重扩增系统(常染色体或X染色体)在法医生物学及人类学研究中的进展,并对今后该领域研究的方向与暨待解决的问题进行了综述。     

Comparison of two whole genome amplification methods for STR genotyping of LCN and degraded DNA samples

The analysis of LCN or highly degraded DNA samples presents a challenge for forensic science. Improving the quantity and/or quality of samples would greatly increase the profiling success rate from LCN and degraded samples. Whole genome amplification (WGA) is one method that has such potential. Two commercially available WGA kits, GenomePlex and GenomiPhi, were investigated for use on LCN and degraded DNA samples. Both kits amplified genomic DNA, producing microgram quantities from sub-nanogram templates. Profiling success of LCN DNA samples was increased, with improvements of over 700% from 10pg template DNA compared to non-WGA-amplified control samples. The amplification success with degraded DNA was also improved by WGA. Degraded DNA was simulated using restriction enzymes to demonstrate that the application of WGA can result in the typing of STR loci that could not previously be amplified. An increase in artefacts, such as stutter alleles and amplification biases, were observed in many samples. Results show that WGA is capable of increasing both the quality and quantity of DNA, and has the potential to improve profiling success from difficult samples in forensic casework.     

The utility of whole genome amplification for typing compromised forensic samples

Biological evidence has become invaluable in the crime laboratory; however, it may exist in limited quantity and/or quality. Given this, the ability to amplify total DNA obtained from evidence, in an unbiased manner, would be highly advantageous. Methods for whole genome amplification (WGA) have the potential to fulfill this role, resulting in a virtually unlimited supply of DNA. In the research presented, two WGA methods, improved primer extension preamplification and multiple displacement amplification (MDA), were tested using commercial kits. Control DNA, artificially degraded DNA, and DNA from fresh blood, aged blood, hair shafts, and aged bones underwent WGA, followed by short tandem repeat and mitochondrial DNA analysis. The methods did amplify DNA, but performed poorly on forensically relevant samples; the maximum amplicon size was reduced, and MDA often resulted in extraneous bands following polymerase chain reaction. Taken together, WGA appears to be of limited forensic utility unless the samples are of a very high quality.     

Automated PCR setup for forensic casework samples using the Normalization Wizard and PCR Setup robotic methods

Human genome, pharmaceutical and research laboratories have long enjoyed the application of robotics to performing repetitive laboratory tasks. However, the utilization of robotics in forensic laboratories for processing casework samples is relatively new and poses particular challenges. Since the quantity and quality (a mixture versus a single source sample, the level of degradation, the presence of PCR inhibitors) of the DNA contained within a casework sample is unknown, particular attention must be paid to procedural susceptibility to contamination, as well as DNA yield, especially as it pertains to samples with little biological material. The Virginia Department of Forensic Science (VDFS) has successfully automated forensic casework DNA extraction utilizing the DNA IQ(trade mark) System in conjunction with the Biomek 2000 Automation Workstation. Human DNA quantitation is also performed in a near complete automated fashion utilizing the AluQuant Human DNA Quantitation System and the Biomek 2000 Automation Workstation. Recently, the PCR setup for casework samples has been automated, employing the Biomek 2000 Automation Workstation and Normalization Wizard, Genetic Identity version, which utilizes the quantitation data, imported into the software, to create a customized automated method for DNA dilution, unique to that plate of DNA samples. The PCR Setup software method, used in conjunction with the Normalization Wizard method and written for the Biomek 2000, functions to mix the diluted DNA samples, transfer the PCR master mix, and transfer the diluted DNA samples to PCR amplification tubes. Once the process is complete, the DNA extracts, still on the deck of the robot in PCR amplification strip tubes, are transferred to pre-labeled 1.5 mL tubes for long-term storage using an automated method. The automation of these steps in the process of forensic DNA casework analysis has been accomplished by performing extensive optimization, validation and testing of the software methods.