Florida International University

Joana Antunes

Bruce McCord

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 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.

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Miami, FL, United States of America

Joana Antunes