Abstract: A family of PCR assays is disclosed for determining, both qualitatively and quantitatively, presence of material from a predetermined species source and for quantifying the amount of such material. The assays are based respectively on SINEs uniquely characteristic of pig species, cow species, chicken species, and ruminant sub-order, and having a high copy number. The assays disclosed permit rapid, inexpensive evaluation of meat samples to facilitate elimination from their diet of pork or beef by persons desiring to avoid such food sources; as well as the assay of cattle feed to determine presence therein of ruminant-source proteins, which are a potential source of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly referred to as “mad cow disease.” The assays amplify the predetermined unique SINEs and the resulting amplified mixture is then evaluated qualitatively by electrophoresis on gel containing ethidium bromide or quantitatively by SYBR Green-based detection or TaqMan chemistry.

Abstract: A family of PCR assays is disclosed for determining, both qualitatively and quantitatively, presence of material from a predetermined species source and for quantifying the amount of such material. The assays are based respectively on SINEs uniquely characteristic of pig species, cow species, chicken species, and ruminant sub-order, and having a high copy number. The assays disclosed permit rapid, inexpensive evaluation of meat samples to facilitate elimination from their diet of pork or beef by persons desiring to avoid such food sources; as well as the assay of cattle feed to determine presence therein of ruminant-source proteins, which are a potential source of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly referred to as “mad cow disease.” The assays amplify the predetermined unique SINEs and the resulting amplified mixture is then evaluated qualitatively by electrophoresis on gel containing ethidium bromide or quantitatively by SYBR Green-based detection or TaqMan chemistry.

Abstract: A family of PCR assays is disclosed for determining, both qualitatively and quantitatively, presence of material from a predetermined species source and for quantifying the amount of such material. The assays are based respectively on SINEs uniquely characteristic of pig species, cow species, chicken species, and ruminant sub-order, and having a high copy number. The assays disclosed permit rapid, inexpensive evaluation of meat samples to facilitate elimination from their diet of pork or beef by persons desiring to avoid such food sources; as well as the assay of cattle feed to determine presence therein of ruminant-source proteins, which are a potential source of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly referred to as “mad cow disease.” The assays amplify the predetermined unique SINEs and the resulting amplified mixture is then evaluated qualitatively by electrophoresis on gel containing ethidium bromide or quantitatively by SYBR Green-based detection or TaqMan chemistry.

Abstract: An assay for determining presence of human DNA in a sample in which non-human DNA may also be present and for quantitating such human DNA. One embodiment uses intra-Alu based PCR and another uses inter-Alu based PCR. The assays are performed without unique, expensive equipment. The assays are based on detection of multiple-copy Alu elements recently integrated into the human genome that are largely absent from non-human primates and other mammals.

Abstract: A comprehensive set of human specific, target specific, multiplex PCR assays for DNA quantitation is provided. Our duplex qPCR for nDNA/mtDNA had a linear quantitation range of 100 ng to 1 pg, and our triplex qPCR assay for nDNA/mtDNA/male Y DNA had a linear range of 100 ng to 0.1 ng. Human-specificity was demonstrated by the accurate detection of 0.05% and 5% human DNA, respectively, from a complex source of starting templates. Target-specificity was confirmed by the lack of cross-amplification among targets. A high throughput alternative for human gender determination was also developed by multiplexing the male Y primer/probe set with an X chromosome based system. Background cross-amplification with DNA templates derived from fourteen other species was negligible aside from the male Y assay which produced spurious amplifications from other non-human primate templates. Mainstream application of these assays will undoubtedly benefit forensic genomics.

Abstract: The insertion polymorphisms based on interspersed elements including LINEs and SINEs is used for the inference of an individual's geographic origin. SINE polymorphisms are identical-by-descent, essentially homoplasy-free, and inexpensive to genotype using a variety of approaches. Using a Structure analysis of the Alu insertion polymorphism based genotypes, the geographic affiliation of unknown human individuals can be inferred with high levels of confidence. This technique to infer the geographic affiliation of unknown human DNA samples can be a useful tool in forensic genomics.

Abstract: A comprehensive set of human specific, target specific, multiplex PCR assays for DNA quantitation is provided. Our duplex qPCR for nDNA/mtDNA had a linear quantitation range of 100 ng to 1 pg, and our triplex qPCR assay for nDNA/mtDNA/male Y DNA had a linear range of 100 ng to 0.1 ng. Human-specificity was demonstrated by the accurate detection of 0.05% and 5% human DNA, respectively, from a complex source of starting templates. Target-specificity was confirmed by the lack of cross-amplification among targets. A high throughput alternative for human gender determination was also developed by multiplexing the male Y primer/probe set with an X chromosome based system. Background cross-amplification with DNA templates derived from fourteen other species was negligible aside from the male Y assay which produced spurious amplifications from other non-human primate templates. Mainstream application of these assays will undoubtedly benefit forensic genomics.

Abstract: A family of PCR assays is disclosed for determining, both qualitatively and quantitatively, presence of material from a predetermined species source and for quantifying the amount of such material. The assays are based respectively on SINEs uniquely characteristic of pig species, cow species, chicken species, and ruminant sub-order, and having a high copy number. The assays disclosed permit rapid, inexpensive evaluation of meat samples to facilitate elimination from their diet of pork or beef by persons desiring to avoid such food sources; as well as the assay of cattle feed to determine presence therein of ruminant-source proteins, which are a potential source of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly referred to as “mad cow disease.” The assays amplify the predetermined unique SINEs and the resulting amplified mixture is then evaluated qualitatively by electrophoresis on gel containing ethidium bromide or quantitatively by SYBR Green-based detection or TaqMan chemistry.

Abstract: An assay for determining presence of human DNA in a sample in which non-human DNA may also be present and for quantitating such human DNA. One embodiment uses intra-Alu based PCR and another uses inter-Alu based PCR. The assays are performed without unique, expensive equipment. The assays are based on detection of multiple-copy Alu elements recently integrated into the human genome that are largely absent from non-human primates and other mammals.