Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG) has fast become a popular tool in criminal investigations since ... more Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG) has fast become a popular tool in criminal investigations since it first emerged in 2018. FGG is a novel investigatory tool that has been applied to hundreds of unresolved cold cases in the United States to generate investigative leads and identify unknown individuals. Consumer DNA testing and the public’s increased curiosity about their own DNA and genetic ancestry, have greatly contributed to the availability of human genetic data. Genetic genealogy has been a field of study/interest for many years as both amateur and professional genetic genealogists use consumer DNA data to explore genetic connections in family trees. FGG encompasses this knowledge by applying advanced sequencing technologies to forensic DNA evidence samples and by performing genetic genealogy methods and genealogical research, to produce possible identities of unknown perpetrators of violent crimes and unidentified human remains. This combination of forensic genetics, genetic ge...
This study aimed to demonstrate the ability of Raman spectroscopy to identify body fluids, both i... more This study aimed to demonstrate the ability of Raman spectroscopy to identify body fluids, both individually and in mixtures. After obtaining informed consent and IRB approval, venous blood, saliva, semen, and urine were collected from volunteers, and analyzed using a Raman microscope kept at a constant wavelength of 780 nanometers. The analysis was performed on individual fluids, mixtures, and in the presence of substrates. DNA profiling was then performed on a selection of samples after Raman analysis. The individual fluids were shown to provide their own unique spectra. Four of the mixtures (blood and semen, saliva and semen, saliva and urine, semen and urine) gave positive results for the detection of both fluids present. Blood was the only fluid detected on substrates, and only on one of the two tested.
It was recently recognized that microRNAs (miRNA) may serve as potential biomarkers for body flui... more It was recently recognized that microRNAs (miRNA) may serve as potential biomarkers for body fluid identification, thereby providing tissue source information in addition to DNA profiling. This study investigated simultaneous extraction of both DNA and RNA from forensically relevant body fluids. Following ethical approval from the Institutional Review Board and informed volunteer consent, venous blood, semen, saliva and urine were collected from 5 volunteers (n=20). Two commercially available kits were investigated namely; ZR-DuetTM DNA/RNA MiniPrep kit (ZYMO) and AllPrepTM DNA/RNA Mini Kit (Qiagen). The manufacturers guidelines were followed using 200μl of sample. A series of dilutions of each body fluid were co-extracted for their RNA/DNA content. The quality/quantity of each extract was analyzed using a Biotek EON Spectrophotometer. RQ-PCR was performed on a selection of the RNA samples targeting miR-16 to determine if a miRNA signal was present. In parallel, STR analysis was per...
There has been little research into the effect of fabric type and different laundering conditions... more There has been little research into the effect of fabric type and different laundering conditions on the ability to detect semen stains on washed fabrics. This study aimed to investigate three potential factors affecting semen identification on laundered clothing: fabric type, water temperature during washing, and whether the stain was dry at the time of washing. Following laundering, semen stains on four fabric types (cotton, polyester, denim, and wool) were examined and tested with three common methods used to detect semen; screening with an alternate light source, acid phosphatase press test, and histological staining of spermatazoa. It was determined that semen was difficult to detect if it was still wet when the semen-stained article was washed. There did not appear to be any difference based on the temperature of the wash cycle. It was also determined that synthetic fabrics such as polyester may not effectively retain the components of semen during laundering, making detection more difficult.
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) shuttle microRNA (miRNA) throughout the circulation and are believed... more Extracellular vesicles (EVs) shuttle microRNA (miRNA) throughout the circulation and are believed to represent a fingerprint of the releasing cell. We isolated and characterized serum EVs of breast tumour-bearing animals, breast cancer (BC) patients, and healthy controls. EVs were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), protein quantification, western blotting, and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). Absolute quantitative (AQ)-PCR was employed to analyse EV-miR-451a expression. Isolated EVs had the appropriate morphology and size. Patient sera contained significantly more EVs than did healthy controls. In tumour-bearing animals, a correlation between serum EV number and tumour burden was observed. There was no significant relationship between EV protein yield and EV quantity determined by NTA, highlighting the requirement for direct quantification. Using AQ-PCR to relate miRNA copy number to EV yield, a significant increase in miRNA-451a copies/EV was detected ...
Within the forensic science community, there is a continued push to develop novel tools to aid in... more Within the forensic science community, there is a continued push to develop novel tools to aid in criminal investigations. microRNA (miRNA) analysis has been the focus of many researcher's attention in the biomedical field since its discovery in 1993; however, the forensic application of miRNA analysis has only been suggested within the last 10 years and has been gaining considerable traction recently. The primary focus of the forensic application of miRNA analysis has been on body fluid identification to provide confirmatory universal analysis of unknown biological stains obtained from crime scenes or evidence items. There are, however, other forensic applications of miRNA profiling that have shown potential, yet are largely understudied, and warrant further investigation such as organ tissue identification, donor age estimation, and more. This review paper aims to evaluate the current literature and future potential of miRNA analysis within the forensic science field.
Intercellular communication between breast tumour cells and stromal cells plays a fundamental rol... more Intercellular communication between breast tumour cells and stromal cells plays a fundamental role in cancer initiation and progression. Mesenchymal Stem Cells(MSCs) are multipotent cells with the proven ability to home to the site of breast tumours and integrate into the tumour architecture. The mechanisms of MSC interaction with breast cancer cells are poorly defined. Exosomes are microvesicles secreted by cells that have the capacity to transport genetic material including microRNAs(miRNAs), which are important regulators of gene expression. However, the miRNAs selectively packaged into exosomes, and their true role in the tumour microenvironment, is poorly understood. Aim: Investigate the presence of MSCs in primary breast tumours, and identify exosome-encapsulated miRNAs secreted by breast cancer cells and MSCs in vitro. Methods: Stromal cells were isolated from primary breast tumours and characterized based on MSC-associated cell surface antigens. Tumour stromal cells were cul...
Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG) has fast become a popular tool in criminal investigations since ... more Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG) has fast become a popular tool in criminal investigations since it first emerged in 2018. FGG is a novel investigatory tool that has been applied to hundreds of unresolved cold cases in the United States to generate investigative leads and identify unknown individuals. Consumer DNA testing and the public’s increased curiosity about their own DNA and genetic ancestry, have greatly contributed to the availability of human genetic data. Genetic genealogy has been a field of study/interest for many years as both amateur and professional genetic genealogists use consumer DNA data to explore genetic connections in family trees. FGG encompasses this knowledge by applying advanced sequencing technologies to forensic DNA evidence samples and by performing genetic genealogy methods and genealogical research, to produce possible identities of unknown perpetrators of violent crimes and unidentified human remains. This combination of forensic genetics, genetic ge...
This study aimed to demonstrate the ability of Raman spectroscopy to identify body fluids, both i... more This study aimed to demonstrate the ability of Raman spectroscopy to identify body fluids, both individually and in mixtures. After obtaining informed consent and IRB approval, venous blood, saliva, semen, and urine were collected from volunteers, and analyzed using a Raman microscope kept at a constant wavelength of 780 nanometers. The analysis was performed on individual fluids, mixtures, and in the presence of substrates. DNA profiling was then performed on a selection of samples after Raman analysis. The individual fluids were shown to provide their own unique spectra. Four of the mixtures (blood and semen, saliva and semen, saliva and urine, semen and urine) gave positive results for the detection of both fluids present. Blood was the only fluid detected on substrates, and only on one of the two tested.
It was recently recognized that microRNAs (miRNA) may serve as potential biomarkers for body flui... more It was recently recognized that microRNAs (miRNA) may serve as potential biomarkers for body fluid identification, thereby providing tissue source information in addition to DNA profiling. This study investigated simultaneous extraction of both DNA and RNA from forensically relevant body fluids. Following ethical approval from the Institutional Review Board and informed volunteer consent, venous blood, semen, saliva and urine were collected from 5 volunteers (n=20). Two commercially available kits were investigated namely; ZR-DuetTM DNA/RNA MiniPrep kit (ZYMO) and AllPrepTM DNA/RNA Mini Kit (Qiagen). The manufacturers guidelines were followed using 200μl of sample. A series of dilutions of each body fluid were co-extracted for their RNA/DNA content. The quality/quantity of each extract was analyzed using a Biotek EON Spectrophotometer. RQ-PCR was performed on a selection of the RNA samples targeting miR-16 to determine if a miRNA signal was present. In parallel, STR analysis was per...
There has been little research into the effect of fabric type and different laundering conditions... more There has been little research into the effect of fabric type and different laundering conditions on the ability to detect semen stains on washed fabrics. This study aimed to investigate three potential factors affecting semen identification on laundered clothing: fabric type, water temperature during washing, and whether the stain was dry at the time of washing. Following laundering, semen stains on four fabric types (cotton, polyester, denim, and wool) were examined and tested with three common methods used to detect semen; screening with an alternate light source, acid phosphatase press test, and histological staining of spermatazoa. It was determined that semen was difficult to detect if it was still wet when the semen-stained article was washed. There did not appear to be any difference based on the temperature of the wash cycle. It was also determined that synthetic fabrics such as polyester may not effectively retain the components of semen during laundering, making detection more difficult.
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) shuttle microRNA (miRNA) throughout the circulation and are believed... more Extracellular vesicles (EVs) shuttle microRNA (miRNA) throughout the circulation and are believed to represent a fingerprint of the releasing cell. We isolated and characterized serum EVs of breast tumour-bearing animals, breast cancer (BC) patients, and healthy controls. EVs were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), protein quantification, western blotting, and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA). Absolute quantitative (AQ)-PCR was employed to analyse EV-miR-451a expression. Isolated EVs had the appropriate morphology and size. Patient sera contained significantly more EVs than did healthy controls. In tumour-bearing animals, a correlation between serum EV number and tumour burden was observed. There was no significant relationship between EV protein yield and EV quantity determined by NTA, highlighting the requirement for direct quantification. Using AQ-PCR to relate miRNA copy number to EV yield, a significant increase in miRNA-451a copies/EV was detected ...
Within the forensic science community, there is a continued push to develop novel tools to aid in... more Within the forensic science community, there is a continued push to develop novel tools to aid in criminal investigations. microRNA (miRNA) analysis has been the focus of many researcher's attention in the biomedical field since its discovery in 1993; however, the forensic application of miRNA analysis has only been suggested within the last 10 years and has been gaining considerable traction recently. The primary focus of the forensic application of miRNA analysis has been on body fluid identification to provide confirmatory universal analysis of unknown biological stains obtained from crime scenes or evidence items. There are, however, other forensic applications of miRNA profiling that have shown potential, yet are largely understudied, and warrant further investigation such as organ tissue identification, donor age estimation, and more. This review paper aims to evaluate the current literature and future potential of miRNA analysis within the forensic science field.
Intercellular communication between breast tumour cells and stromal cells plays a fundamental rol... more Intercellular communication between breast tumour cells and stromal cells plays a fundamental role in cancer initiation and progression. Mesenchymal Stem Cells(MSCs) are multipotent cells with the proven ability to home to the site of breast tumours and integrate into the tumour architecture. The mechanisms of MSC interaction with breast cancer cells are poorly defined. Exosomes are microvesicles secreted by cells that have the capacity to transport genetic material including microRNAs(miRNAs), which are important regulators of gene expression. However, the miRNAs selectively packaged into exosomes, and their true role in the tumour microenvironment, is poorly understood. Aim: Investigate the presence of MSCs in primary breast tumours, and identify exosome-encapsulated miRNAs secreted by breast cancer cells and MSCs in vitro. Methods: Stromal cells were isolated from primary breast tumours and characterized based on MSC-associated cell surface antigens. Tumour stromal cells were cul...
Uploads
Papers by Claire Glynn