Florida International University

Pressure Biosciences, Inc.

Bruce McCord

Joana Antunes

Hussain Alghanim

Lucas Blanes

Inge Corbin

Richard T Schumacher

Deepthi V Nori

Sohee Cho

Nathan P Lawrence

George Duncan

Quentin Gauthier

Sara Casado Zapico

Ashley Wardlow

The invention pertains to analyzing the levels of DNA methylation at specific genetic loci to detect specific body fluids, for example, vaginal secretions or vaginal epithelial cells, semen or sperms, saliva or buccal epithelial cells, or blood or blood cells. Particularly, the levels of methylation of DNA at the genetic loci corresponding to SEQ ID NOs: 1, 6, 11, and 16, more particularly, SEQ ID NOs: 25, 26, 27, and 28, are used to detect vaginal secretions or vaginal epithelial cells, semen or sperms, saliva or buccal epithelial cells, and blood or blood cells, respectively. The level of methylation at the specific loci can be determined by sequencing of the amplicons produced using specific primers designed to amplify the specific loci. Kits containing the primers and reagents for carrying out the methods disclosed herein are also provided.

Materials and methods for multiplex detection of body fluids

Provided are materials and methods for age-at-death estimation for identification of human remains in forensic contexts. In preferred embodiments, the methods and materials comprise methylation analysis of human tooth pulp tissue and selected genes wherein the methylation analysis of selected CpG dinucleotides within the selected genes provides a surprising accuracy of age determination from small amount of tooth pulp DNA.

Materials and methods for age-at-death estimation

The invention pertains to analyzing the DNA methylation levels at specific genetic loci. The DNA methylation levels at the specific genetic loci can be used to detect the presence in a sample of a specific body fluid, for example, semen containing sperm, saliva, or blood. Particularly, the DNA methylation levels at the genetic loci corresponding to SEQ ID NOs: 1, 7, 13, and 19 are used to detect sperms, saliva or blood cells. The DNA methylation levels at the specific loci can be determined by high-resolution melt (HRM) analysis or sequencing of the amplicons produced using specific primers designed to amplify the specific loci. Kits containing the primers and reagents for carrying out the methods disclosed herein are also provided.

DNA methylation assays for body fluid identification

The invention pertains to analyzing the levels of DNA methylation at specific genetic loci to detect specific body fluids, for example, vaginal secretions or vaginal epithelial cells, semen or sperms, saliva or buccal epithelial cells, or blood or blood cells. Particularly, the levels of methylation of DNA at the genetic loci corresponding to SEQ ID NOs: 1, 6, 11, and 16 are used to detect vaginal secretions or vaginal epithelial cells, semen or sperms, saliva or buccal epithelial cells, and blood or blood cells, respectively. The level of methylation at the specific loci can be determined by high-resolution melt analysis (HRM) or sequencing of the amplicons produced using specific primers designed to amplify the specific loci. Kits containing the primers and reagents for carrying out the methods disclosed herein are also provided.

Materials and methods for detecting source body fluids

The subject invention pertains to biomarkers for identifying the source of a cell as a current, former, or never smoker. In certain embodiments, the methylation status at the AHRR locus in the genomic DNA isolated from a cell is determined by pyrosequencing technique using specific primers described herein. Kits containing primers and reagents for carrying out the methods disclosed herein are also provided.

CPG sites differentially methylated in smokers and non-smokers

Paper microfluidic devices for testing for explosives are provided, along with methods of fabricating and using the same. One or more channels are formed on a paper substrate, and a test spot is formed in at least one of the channels. The channels can be hydrophobic. A test reagent is provided in the test spot and tests for explosives.

Paper microfluidic devices for detection of improvised explosives

The subject invention provides a two-step protocol using pressure cycling technology (PCT) and alkaline lysis for differential extraction of mixtures. In a preferred embodiment the procedure is used in forensic DNA applications such as, for example, DNA testing in the case of rape.

Materials and methods for achieving differential lysis of mixtures with the aid of alkaline lysis and pressure cycling technology (PCT)

Paper microfluidic devices for the detection of bodily fluids are provided. Such devices can be used, for example, for detection of bodily fluids from or at crime scenes, including blood, saliva, semen, urine, feces, vaginal fluids, and perspiration. Detection can be performed using colorimetric reagents that react when placed in contact with the fluid of interest. A single device can be used to test for multiple bodily fluids at the same time.

Paper microfluidic devices for forensic serology

The subject invention pertains to biomarkers for detecting vaginal epithelial cells in a sample, particularly, a forensic sample. In one embodiment, the level of methylation at the PFN3A locus in the genetic material isolated from the sample is used to detect and/or quantify vaginal epithelial cells in a sample. In another embodiment, the level of methylation at the PFN3A locus in the genetic material isolated from a sample is determined by pyrosequencing technique using specific primers described herein. A further embodiment of the invention provides a method of determining the level of methylation at the PFN3A locus in the genetic material isolated from a cell suspected of being a vaginal epithelial cell and that is isolated from a sample. Kits containing primers and reagents for carrying out the methods disclosed herein are also provided.

Growing community of inventors

Miami, FL, United States of America

Bruce McCord