University of the Basque Country University of the Basque Country

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PATERNITY AND BIOLOGICAL KINSHIP TESTING

Introduction

THe DNA Bank Unit of the General Genomics Service of the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU provides support for basic and applied research in different areas of Bioscience.

DNA extraction

  • Human DNA from diverse sources such as blood, saliva and other body fluids (semen, urine), hair (with or without root), teeth, biopsy and necropsy tissues, tissues included in paraffin, recent bone material and old bone remains.

Determining genetic profiles

Genetic profiles or traces are obtained via the analysis of each DNA sample.

The procedures currently used to obtain such a profile are the analysis of DNA microsatellite or STR markers, and the analysis of mitochondrial DNA.

  • Microsatellite DNA markers can be autosomal or linked to sexual X and Y chromosomes.
  • The conventional system for analysing these markers is optimum when the samples are not highly degraded. 

To deal with the problem of obtaining the genetic profile of highly-degraded DNA, the DNA Bank at the UPV/EHU uses miniSTR methodology.

  • The mitochondrial DNA which is analysed is the hypervariable region or D-loop.
  • Analysis of this DNA helps to solve the problem of samples with very little DNA, as in the case of rootless hair.
  • In addition to optimizing the techniques in use for genetic-forensic purposes, the DNA Bank conducts research in search of new methods and applications, such as SNP polymorphisms and their mass study using microarray technology.