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                            Funding & Awards
 Typing Highly Degraded DNA Using Circularized Molecules and Target Enrichment
Note:
              This awardee has received supplemental funding. This award detail page includes information about both the original award and supplemental awards.
Award Information
Awardee
              University of North Texas Health Science Center
Award #
              2017-IJ-CX-0010
Funding Category
              Continuation
Location
                    Fort Worth, TX
Awardee County
              Tarrant
Congressional District
              12
Status
              Closed
Funding First Awarded
              2017
Total funding (to date)
              $89,194
Original Solicitation
              NIJ FY17 Graduate Research Fellowship Program in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2017, $46,155)
Forensic genetic typing of severely compromised DNA samples is one of the leading challenges faced by forensic DNA analysts. These degraded or damaged biological samples are difficult, if not impossible to test due to their highly fragmented nature.

It is essential that techniques be developed to overcome the molecular limitations of highly damaged and degraded DNA based on use of nuclear DNA markers. This proposal defines two novel approaches that, in theory, can circularize short (i.e., highly degraded) DNA fragments that will serve as templates for target enrichment by capture and whole genome amplification (WGA) of human identity single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). 

These proposed methods combine several established research techniques such as the circularization of genomic template DNA, bait capture, WGA via rolling circle amplification (RCA), and massively parallel sequencing (MPS) into an innovative approach to overcome the restrictions of typing highly compromised DNA. Preparation of the circular molecules, the basis of the proposed approaches, will focus on using Circligase TM II (Epicentre Biotechnologies; Madison, WI) and molecular inversion probes (MIPs). Both techniques will be investigated and compared employing a detailed list of assessment criteria. I hypothesize that through this combined methodology, sufficient genetic material will be generated to yield a genetic profile suitable for human identification. Our goal in this study is to create an approach that would allow for genetic typing of DNA from challenged biological samples and to provide forensic DNA analysts with the means to be less constrained by the limits of damaged and degraded DNA. This development would address an essential need that has always hampered forensic genetic investigation. The proposed research has the potential for significant advancement in the field of forensic genetics while simultaneously providing a substantial benefit to society by aiding in the identification of missing persons, contributing to the solving of criminal cases, and even addressing the analysis of historical remains.

ca/ncf
Supplemental Award 1 (Fiscal Year 2018, $43,039)
Genetic typing of severely damaged DNA remains a challenge.  The applicant proposes research to create an approach that would allow genetic typing of degraded DNA that is not possible today.  The research will explore the use of circularized molecules and target enrichment techniques to overcome this challenge. 

"Note: This project contains a research and/or development component, as defined in applicable law," and complies with Part 200 Uniform Requirements - 2 CFR  200.210(a)(14). 

nca/ncf


  
Grant-Funded Publications
        
                      Rolling circle amplification: A (random) primer on the enrichment of an infinite linear DNA template

  
Date Created: September 21, 2017
    
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