Notes: The authors attempted to isolate DNA from samples tested with Hemastix® reagent strips, which are commonly used to test for the presence of blood, using the DNA IQ™ System. Yields from samples that had been tested with Hemastix® strips were dramatically lower than those from untested samples. The experiments suggested that 3,3´,5,5´tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) irreversibly binds to the magnetic DNA IQ™ Resin to prevent DNA recovery. To circumvent this, the authors implemented an effective indirect screening method, where the unknown sample was rubbed with dry filter paper, which was then tested with a prewetted Hemastix® strip. (4035)

Notes: The authors analyzed 1,308 samples for concordance between the Identifiler^® kit, AmpFlSTR^® Minifiler™ kit and PowerPlex^® 16 System. DNA was isolated from liquid blood using the manual DNA IQ™ System protocol, and STR amplifications were performed as per the manufacturer's recommendations except that reaction volumes were decreased by half. Amplified products were analyzed using an Applied Biosystems 3130xl and POP™-4 or POP™-6 polymer. Twenty seven disconcordant phenotypes were identified between the Minifiler™ and Identifiler^® kits, 14 between Minifiler™ and PowerPlex^® 16 kits, and 4 between PowerPlex^® 16 and Identifiler^® kits. (3770)

Notes: Y-chromosome haplotypes of 150 males from 10 regions in Italy were determined using the PowerPlex<SUP>®</SUP> Y System and the ABI PRISM<SUP>®</SUP>3100 genetic analyzer. DNA samples were isolated from blood using the DNA IQ™ System. The total number of haplotypes observed was 141, and 146 of the haplotypes were unique. Ten samples showed locus duplication. (3686)

Notes: The authors evaluated a 96-channel microfabricated capillary array electrophoresis (µCAE) device for forensic STR typing using the PowerPlex^® 16 System and the AmpFlSTR^® Profiler Plus^® kit. DNA was isolated from one semen (sperm and nonsperm fractions), nine saliva, four blood and two mixed blood stains using either organic extraction or the DNA IQ™ System, then .5–1.0 ng was amplified using the PowerPlex^® 16 System and the AmpFlSTR^® Profiler Plus^® kit according to the manufacturer's instructions. Amplified products were analyzed initially using an ABI PRISM^® 310 or Hitachi FMBIO^® II instrument, then using the µCAE device. All 48 samples, as well as all minor alleles in 3:1 mixture samples, were accurately typed using the µCAE device. (3772)

Notes: The authors validated the DNA IQ™ System for manual and automated DNA purification from blood, tissue, bone, hair, epithelial cells and mixed stains such as semen. Automated DNA extraction was performed using the Beckman Coulter Biomek® 2000 workstation. Purified DNA (0.5–1.0ng) was then amplified using the PowerPlex® 16 BIO System and a 6% PAGE PLUS™ gel. Automated DNA purification and use of a single-amplification STR system greatly increased sample throughput. (3645)

Notes: These authors used DNA typing to identify human skeletal remains found in mass graves. DNA was isolated using standard phenol/chloroform extraction, the DNA IQ™ System or other methods. A modified DNA IQ™ System protocol was developed using 2g of pulverized bone. DNA was quantitated using the AluQuant^® Human DNA Quantitation System or Quanti-Blot™ Human DNA quantitation kit. DNA typing was performed using several STR amplification kits, including the PowerPlex^® 16 System. In some cases mitochondrial DNA testing was necessary due to the degree of nuclear DNA degradation. Of the 481 samples, 385 were amplified successfully and 109 sets of remains were identified. (3640)

Notes: These authors used a new DNA purification method that combines cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and isoamyl alcohol/chloroform extraction to isolate DNA from bones soaked in water, burned bones, or bones that had been buried for a long time. Following the CTAB and isoamyl alcohol/chloroform extraction, PCR inhibitors were removed using the DNA IQ™ System or the QIAquick PCR Purification Kit. The authors preferred the DNA IQ™ System because of its speed and ease-of-use. (3642)

Notes: This paper discusses automated DNA purification from a variety of forensic casework samples using the DNA IQ™ System on a Beckman BioMek® 2000 Laboratory Automated Workstation.  DNA was purified from various forensic casework samples including vaginal swabs, blood stains, tissue and samples.  The researchers also tested diluted and contaminated samples and the ability of the DNA IQ™ System on the Beckman BioMek® 2000 to purify DNA from these samples.  The PowerPlex® 1.1 System was used as a representative forensic laboratory typing system to test the contaminant level in all of the DNA IQ™ purified DNA samples.  (3052)

Notes: DNA was purified from blood stains and buccal swabs with DNA IQ™ System and two other comparative methods. A high throughput AluQuant^® assay on the BioMek^® 2000 was compared to a quantiblot method for quantifying human genomic DNA. DNA samples extracted with the DNA IQ™ System had less variability than the quantiblot method. The AluQuant^® System showed a similar level of sensitivity, reproducibility and precision compared to the quantiblot method.  (3007)

Notes: The authors studied the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the APC locus 1638N in mouse intestinal tumors. The entire intestinal tract was removed from 85–95-day-old B6 mice heterozygous for 1638N. The tumors present were dissected out and frozen in liquid nitrogen before DNA was isolated using the Tissue and Hair Extraction Kit with the DNA IQ™ System. To determine the allele ratio, 35ng DNA was amplified in a 12.25µl amplification reaction using 1 unit Taq DNA Polymerase and a radiolabeled nucleotide. The amplification products were then separated on a 6% acrylamide gel and analyzed by phosphorimaging. (3098)

Notes: The authors collected blood and ear tissue samples from white-tailed deer to determine if allelic variability of the prion protein gene (Prnp) was associated with chronic wasting disease (CWD). Genomic DNA was isolated from the samples using the DNA IQ™ System. DNA was isolated from blood following the DNA IQ™ System protocol with the exception of an additional lysis buffer wash. For ear tissue, 10–25mg of tissue was pretreated in 100µl of digestion solution [800µl digestion buffer [10 mM EDTA, 0.1% SDS, and 1 mM Tris (pH 9.0)], 100µl of 1M DTT and 100µl of 18 mg/ml proteinase K] for 1–2 hours at 56°C. Samples were centrifuged at 8,200 × g, and the resulting supernatant was added to 50µl of DNA IQ™ Lysis Buffer and 7µl of DNA IQ™ Resin and incubated for 5 minutes at room temperature. Samples were rinsed once with DNA IQ™ Lysis Buffer and three times with Wash Buffer. Genomic DNA was then eluted as described in the protocol provided with the DNA IQ™ System. (3659)