http://www.investigativegenetics.com The latest research articles published by Investigative Genetics 2012-05-18T00:00:00Z . http://www.investigativegenetics.com/content/3/1/11 Bruce Budowle Investigative Genetics 2012, null:11 2012-05-18T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/2041-2223-3-11 /content/figures/2041-2223-3-11-toc.gif Investigative Genetics 2041-2223 ${item.volume} 11 2012-05-18T00:00:00Z PDF Background: The September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon increased the concern about the potential for terrorist attacks on many vulnerable sectors of the US, including agriculture. The concentrated nature of crops, easily obtainable biological agents, and highly detrimental impacts make agroterrorism a potential threat. Although procedures for an effective criminal investigation and attribution following such an attack are available, important enhancements are still needed, one of which is the capability for fine discrimination among pathogen strains. The purpose of this study was to develop a molecular typing assay for use in a forensic investigation, using Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) as a model plant virus.MethodThis genotyping technique utilizes single base primer extension to generate a genetic fingerprint. Fifteen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the coat protein and helper component-protease genes were selected as the genetic markers for this assay. Assay optimization and sensitivity testing was conducted using synthetic targets. WSMV strains and field isolates were collected from regions around the world and used to evaluate the assay for discrimination. The assay specificity was tested against a panel of near-neighbors consisting of genetic and environmental near-neighbors.ResultEach WSMV strain or field isolate tested produced a unique SNP fingerprint, with the exception of three isolates collected within the same geographic location that produced indistinguishable fingerprints. The results were consistent among replicates, demonstrating the reproducibility of the assay. No SNP fingerprints were generated from organisms included in the near-neighbor panel, suggesting the assay is specific for WSMV. Using synthetic targets, a complete profile could be generated from as low as 7.15 fmoles of cDNA. Conclusion: The molecular typing method presented is one tool that could be incorporated into the forensic science tool box after a thorough validation study. This method incorporates molecular biology techniques that are already well established in research and diagnostic laboratories, allowing for an easy introduction of this method into existing laboratories. Keywords: single nucleotide polymorphisms, genotyping, plant pathology, viruses, microbial forensics, Single base primer extension, SNaPshot Multiplex Kit http://www.investigativegenetics.com/content/3/1/10 Stephanie Rogers Mark Payton Robert Allen Ulrich Melcher Jessie Carver Jacqueline Fletcher Investigative Genetics 2012, null:10 2012-05-17T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/2041-2223-3-10 /content/figures/2041-2223-3-10-toc.gif Investigative Genetics 2041-2223 ${item.volume} 10 2012-05-17T00:00:00Z PDF . http://www.investigativegenetics.com/content/3/1/9 Antti Sajantila Investigative Genetics 2012, null:9 2012-04-20T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/2041-2223-3-9 As a new feature of Investigative Genetics, the Editors-in-Chief will be writing short summaries every other month on interesting research published within the field. This month Prof Sajantila discusses a recently published major breakthrough in the genetics of coronary heart disease and the importance of translational medicine in health research today. /content/figures/2041-2223-3-9-toc.gif Investigative Genetics 2041-2223 ${item.volume} 9 2012-04-20T00:00:00Z PDF . http://www.investigativegenetics.com/content/3/1/8 Mark Jobling Investigative Genetics 2012, null:8 2012-04-16T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/2041-2223-3-8 The frozen landscape encountered by Mark Jobling during a recent trip to Lausanne, Switzerland has inspired this month's 'Mark my words' column to discuss the miserable fates of those who perish in the snow, using a case study of Otzi the iceman. /content/figures/2041-2223-3-8-toc.gif Investigative Genetics 2041-2223 ${item.volume} 8 2012-04-16T00:00:00Z PDF A report on the Swedish Royal Academy of Sciences Symposium on Modern Human Genetic Variation. Stockholm, Sweden. January 19-20, 2012. http://www.investigativegenetics.com/content/3/1/7 Joshua Akey Investigative Genetics 2012, null:7 2012-03-24T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/2041-2223-3-7 /content/figures/2041-2223-3-7-toc.gif Investigative Genetics 2041-2223 ${item.volume} 7 2012-03-24T00:00:00Z XML Background: Traditional PCR methods for forensic STR genotyping require approximately 2.5 to 4 hours to complete, contributing a significant portion of the time required to process forensic DNA samples. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a fast PCR protocol that enabled amplification of the 16 loci targeted by the AmpFℓSTR® Identifiler® primer set, allowing decreased cycling times. Methods: Fast PCR conditions were achieved by substituting the traditional Taq polymerase for SpeedSTAR™ HS DNA polymerase which is designed for fast PCR, by upgrading to a thermal cycler with faster temperature ramping rates and by modifying cycling parameters (less time at each temperature) and adopting a two-step PCR approach. Results: The total time required for the optimized protocol is 26 min. A total of 147 forensically relevant DNA samples were amplified using the fast PCR protocol for Identifiler. Heterozygote peak height ratios were not affected by fast PCR conditions, and full profiles were generated for single-source DNA amounts between 0.125 ng and 2.0 ng. Individual loci in profiles produced with the fast PCR protocol exhibited average n-4 stutter percentages ranging from 2.5 ± 0.9% (THO1) to 9.9 ± 2.7% (D2S1338). No increase in non-adenylation or other amplification artefacts was observed. Minor contributor alleles in two-person DNA mixtures were reliably discerned. Low level cross-reactivity (monomorphic peaks) was observed with some domestic animal DNA. Conclusions: The fast PCR protocol presented offers a feasible alternative to current amplification methods and could aid in reducing the overall time in STR profile production or could be incorporated into a fast STR genotyping procedure for time-sensitive situations. http://www.investigativegenetics.com/content/3/1/6 Amanda Foster Nancy Laurin Investigative Genetics 2012, null:6 2012-03-06T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/2041-2223-3-6 /content/figures/2041-2223-3-6-toc.gif Investigative Genetics 2041-2223 ${item.volume} 6 2012-03-06T00:00:00Z XML na http://www.investigativegenetics.com/content/3/1/5 Mark Jobling Investigative Genetics 2012, null:5 2012-02-22T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/2041-2223-3-5 An homage to Haldane. With 2012 marking 120 years since Haldane's birth, Mark takes us through his varied career, from mathematician turned linguist as a student, to physiologist, geneticist, evolutionary biologist and popular science writer. /content/figures/2041-2223-3-5-toc.gif Investigative Genetics 2041-2223 ${item.volume} 5 2012-02-22T00:00:00Z XML no abstract http://www.investigativegenetics.com/content/3/1/4 Manfred Kayser Investigative Genetics 2012, null:4 2012-02-17T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/2041-2223-3-4 As a new feature of Investigative Genetics, the Editors-in-Chief will be writing short summaries each month on interesting research published within the field. This month Manfred Kayser discusses the human preoccupation with horses and the recent fascination of investigative geneticists towards them. /content/figures/2041-2223-3-4-toc.gif Investigative Genetics 2041-2223 ${item.volume} 4 2012-02-17T00:00:00Z XML Please see related article: http://www.investigativegenetics.com/content/3/1/2 http://www.investigativegenetics.com/content/3/1/3 Bruce Budowle Jianye Ge Ranajit Chakraborty Harrell Gill-King Investigative Genetics 2012, null:3 2012-02-01T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/2041-2223-3-3 /content/figures/2041-2223-3-3-toc.gif Investigative Genetics 2041-2223 ${item.volume} 3 2012-02-01T00:00:00Z XML Prior probabilities represent a core element of the Bayesian probabilistic approach to relatedness testing. This letter opinions on the commentary Use of prior odds for missing persons identifications by Budowle et al., published recently in this journal. Contrary to Budowle et al., we argue that the concept of prior probabilities (i) is not endowed with the notion of objectivity, (ii) is not a case for computation, and (iii) does not require new guidelines edited by the forensic DNA community--as long as probability is properly considered as an expression of personal belief. http://www.investigativegenetics.com/content/3/1/2 Alex Biedermann Franco Taroni Pierre Margot Investigative Genetics 2012, null:2 2012-01-31T00:00:00Z doi:10.1186/2041-2223-3-2 /content/figures/2041-2223-3-2-toc.gif Investigative Genetics 2041-2223 ${item.volume} 2 2012-01-31T00:00:00Z XML