title: Modified DOP-PCR for improved STR typing of degraded DNA from human skeletal remains and bloodstains.
abstract: Forensic and ancient DNA samples often are damaged and in limited quantity as a result of exposure to harsh environments and the passage of time. Several strategies have been proposed to address the challenges posed by degraded and low copy templates, including a PCR based whole genome amplification method called degenerate oligonucleotide-primed PCR (DOP-PCR). This study assessed the efficacy of four modified versions of the original DOP-PCR primer that retain at least a portion of the 5' defined sequence and alter the number of bases on the 3' end. The use of each of the four modified primers resulted in improved STR profiles from environmentally-damaged bloodstains, contemporary human skeletal remains, American Civil War era bone samples, and skeletal remains of WWII soldiers over those obtained by previously described DOP-PCR methods and routine STR typing. Additionally, the modified DOP-PCR procedure allows for a larger volume of DNA extract to be used, reducing the need to concentrate the sample and thus mitigating the effects of concurrent concentration of inhibitors.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Applied Genetics, Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, 1511 W. Sycamore, Denton, TX, USA. Electronic address: angie.ambers@unt.edu.
authors.forename: Angie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ambers
authors.affiliation: Institute of Applied Genetics, Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Meredith
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Turnbough
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, 1511 W. Sycamore, Denton, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Benjamin
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Texas, 1511 W. Sycamore, Denton, TX, USA; Laboratory of Forensic Anthropology, Center for Human Identification, University of North Texas, Department of Biological Sciences, 1511 W. Sycamore, Denton, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Harrell
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gill-King
authors.affiliation: Institute of Applied Genetics, Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: King
authors.affiliation: Institute of Applied Genetics, Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX, USA; Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Antti
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sajantila
authors.affiliation: Institute of Applied Genetics, Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Fort Worth, TX, USA; Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research (CEGMR), King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Bruce
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Budowle
mesh_terms: D001801:Blood Stains; D001842:Bone and Bones; D002460:Cell Line; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D018732:Forensic Anthropology / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers
keywords: Bloodstains; DOP-PCR; Degraded DNA; Human skeletal remains; Whole genome amplification