DNA profiling through the analysis of STRs remains one of the most widely used tools in human identification across the world. Current laboratory STR analysis is slow, costly and requires expert users and interpretation which can lead to instances of delayed investigations or non-testing of evidence on budget grounds. The ParaDNA(®) Intelligence System has been designed to provide a simple, fast and robust way to profile DNA samples in a lab or field-deployable manner. The system analyses 5-STRs plus amelogenin to deliver a DNA profile that enables users to gain rapid investigative leads and intelligent prioritisation of samples in human identity testing applications. Utilising an innovative sample collector, minimal training is required to enable both DNA analysts and nonspecialist personnel to analyse biological samples directly, without prior processing, in approximately 75min. The test uses direct PCR with fluorescent HyBeacon(®) detection of STR allele lengths to provide a DNA profile. The developmental validation study described here followed the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM) guidelines and tested the sensitivity, reproducibility, accuracy, inhibitor tolerance, and performance of the ParaDNA Intelligence System on a range of mock evidence items. The data collected demonstrate that the ParaDNA Intelligence System displays useful DNA profiles when sampling a variety of evidence items including blood, saliva, semen and touch DNA items indicating the potential to benefit a number of applications in fields such as forensic, military and disaster victim identification (DVI).
Current assessment of whether a forensic evidence item should be submitted for STR profiling is largely based on the personal experience of the Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) and the submissions policy of the law enforcement authority involved. While there are chemical tests that can infer the presence of DNA through the detection of biological stains, the process remains mostly subjective and leads to many samples being submitted that give no profile or not being submitted although DNA is present. The ParaDNA(®) Screening System was developed to address this issue. It consists of a sampling device, pre-loaded reaction plates and detection instrument. The test uses direct PCR with fluorescent HyBeacon™ detection of PCR amplicons to identify the presence and relative amount of DNA on an evidence item and also provides a gender identification result in approximately 75 minutes. This simple-to-use design allows objective data to be acquired by both DNA analyst and non-specialist personnel, to enable a more informed submission decision to be made. The developmental validation study described here tested the sensitivity, reproducibility, accuracy, inhibitor tolerance, and performance of the ParaDNA Screening System on a range of mock evidence items. The data collected demonstrates that the ParaDNA Screening System identifies the presence of DNA on a variety of evidence items including blood, saliva and touch DNA items.
The invasive redbay ambrosia beetle (Xyleborus glabratus) was first detected in Savannah, GA, in 2002. This tiny beetle and its symbiotic fungal partner (Raffaelea lauricola) have led to one of the most devastating new plant diseases in recent times affecting laurel trees (Lauraceae), laurel wilt. In Florida, this devastating disease has also affected the agriculturally important avocado (Persea americana), and once symptoms are visible (i.e., wilting leaves), it is too late to save the infected tree. However, prophylactic systemic treatment with propiconazole can protect the trees from the disease for ≈12 months. This study evaluated the novel approach of using scent-discriminating canines (Canis familiaris) trained on the volatiles of laurel wilt pathogen as a proactive management tool for grove owners. Canine deployments in groves resulted in the detection of 265 presymptomatic avocado trees during two trials. In trial 1, 155 presymptomatic trees were treated with propiconazole and, over the subsequent 14-month monitoring period, 97% remained asymptomatic. In trial 2, the canines detected 100 presymptomatic trees that were not subsequently treated and 22 progressed to wilt within 2–5 weeks, and the remaining trees were removed, thus halting the observation period at 6 weeks. The canines have proven to be an effective proactive management tool.
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