Improving Knowledge on the Genetic Basis of Human Physical Appearance for Human Identification Through Next Generation Sequencing Technologies
Abstract
The Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP) is designed to improve the capabilities of U.S. Universities to conduct research and to educate scientists and engineers in selected technical areas of importance to national defense. DURIP funding provides for the acquisition of research equipment and instrumentation for this purpose. This proposal is for the purchase of a MiSeq platform. The P.I., Professor Susan Walsh, of lndiana University will use the equipment to augment and enhance research capabilities in order to improve knowledge on the genetic basis of human physical appearance for human identification using next generation sequencing technologies. Next generation sequencing is becoming more and more prevalent, the ability to multiplex hundreds of human physical appearance DNA markers provides a more efficient platfonn in tenns of cost and time. The MiSeq systems Illumina chemistry has been optimized to allow for easy hands-on usage, which is extremely applicable in a forensic sample scenario. The platform is a bench top sequencer capable of small whole genome amplification, small regions or multiplex amplicon sequencing for small to medium sized projects. In its application here, through this grant, the PI now has the ability to research, optimize and design massive parallel sequencing (MPS) assays for human physical appearance prediction for the MiSeq system using up to date fundamental genetic knowledge for forensic and anthropological purposes. These assay designs will potential help solidify the direction of forensic DNA analyses towards the use of next generation sequencing allowing more standardized designs with relation to forensic DNA phenotyping that can be fully developmentally validated to ensure their usage in forensic laboratories worldwide.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 12, 2017
- Source ID
- W911NF1510308
Entities
People
- Susan Walsh
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis
- United States Army