Whole Human Mitochondrial DNA Sequencing.
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) can help in the identification of biological evidence recovered from crime scenes and human remains. Typically the hypervariable regions are targeted for sequencing; however, more discriminating profiles are obtained if the whole genome is sequenced. Different approaches exist as to how best amplify and sequence whole mtDNA from forensic specimens. Here, we describe a method based on two-round PCR, combining multiplex and simplex PCRs. This method has been used in the analysis of mitochondrial genomes from archival saliva samples applied to FTA® cards after 10 years of transportation and preservation, without special protection. It is expected that this technique can be also used for the analysis of other old biological specimens directly or with modifications related to the level of DNA degradation.
Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, Starcher Hall, 10 Cornell Street Stop 9010, Grand Forks, ND, 58202, USA. igor.ovtchinnikov@email.und.edu.
Igor V
IV
Ovchinnikov
Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, Starcher Hall, 10 Cornell Street Stop 9010, Grand Forks, ND, 58202, USA.
Mathew J
MJ
Malek
Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, Starcher Hall, 10 Cornell Street Stop 9010, Grand Forks, ND, 58202, USA.
Katelyn
K
Kjelland
Department of Biology, University of North Dakota, Starcher Hall, 10 Cornell Street Stop 9010, Grand Forks, ND, 58202, USA.
Kenneth
K
Drees
D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics*; D018732:Forensic Anthropology / Q000379:methods*; D053803:Forensic Genetics / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D060885:Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA / Q000379:methods*
D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial
DNA sequencing; Multiplex PCR; Simplex PCR; Whole mtDNA