Rapid DNA Technology
Overview
Advances in the development of microdevices for short tandem repeat (STR) DNA analysis have the potential to significantly increase the speed and efficiency of forensic DNA typing. The greatest advantage of this technology is the potential to incorporate sample processing steps including DNA extraction, quantitation, amplification and characterization onto microdevices for automated processing. The pursuit to develop a fully integrated DNA analysis system began in the mid-1990s.
The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) began funding some of this research in 19971, and several companies are currently developing this technology2,3,4,5. It is expected that microdevices will be the next technology adopted by forensic DNA laboratories. However, as of 2010, no systems were commercially available, and it is unlikely that they will be validated and available for forensic use in the immediate future.
1 National Institute of Justice: Forensic DNA Research and Development: Miniaturization and Automation
2 Network Biosystems
3 MicroLab Diagnostics and Lockheed Martin
4 IntegenX
5 University of Arizona College of Medicine and the Forensic Sciences Services