title: A highly discriminating octoplex short tandem repeat polymerase chain reaction system suitable for human individual identification.
abstract: Through the use of fluorescence-based polymerase chain reaction systems, a highly discriminating multiplex with the potential for individual identification has been developed. The use of multiple dye technology enabling loci with overlapping size ranges to be co-amplified has enabled us to successfully amplify seven tetranucleotide short tandem repeat loci within a single reaction resulting in a discriminating power in the region of 1 x 10(9). Three out of the seven loci employed exhibit alleles differing in size by only 2 bp as opposed to the conventional 4 bp, which results in such loci being more powerful in terms of distinguishing between samples, particularly when co-amplified in this manner. The size ranges of the loci contained within the system are such that windows still exist for the inclusion of additional loci at a later stage, which could increase the discriminating power of the system still further. In addition, further weight and utility is lent to the system through the incorporation of a simple and reliable sex test involving the amplification of a segment of the X-Y homologous gene Amelogenin.
authors.affiliation: Forensic Science Service, North, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Oldroyd
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Urquhart
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Kimpton
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Millican
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Downes
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Gill
mesh_terms: D053523:Amelogenin; D001483:Base Sequence; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D003746:Dental Enamel Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D012091:Repetitive Sequences, Nucleic Acid; D014083:Tooth Germ
chemical_list: D053523:Amelogenin; D003746:Dental Enamel Proteins; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D004247:DNA