A method to identify a large number of mammalian species in the UK from trace samples and mixtures without the use of sequencing

Tobe, Shanan S. and Linacre, Adrian (2008) A method to identify a large number of mammalian species in the UK from trace samples and mixtures without the use of sequencing. Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series, 1 (1). pp. 625-627. ISSN 1875-1768

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Abstract

There is no standard test to identify the species of origin of a sample. A general method is to amplify part of the mitochondrial genome, generally the 12S, 16S or cytochrome b gene, and sequence it for comparison with known sequences on GenBank. Highly degraded samples and mixtures make this technique unsuitable. As a functioning protein, cytochrome b cannot mutate unconditionally. Detrimental changes in the amino acid sequence or composition will result in cell death and would not be passed on to offspring. By examining the cytochrome b sequences non-detrimental variation can be found which can be used for specific-species identification. Areas of high homology can also be identified for universal amplification sites. Species-specific primers have been developed based on these SNPs in the cytochrome b gene such that they will only react for a particular species. By combining universal priming sites with species-specific sites, a simple yet effect test has been constructed for the identification of species. This test will produce a product of a particular size for each species. It will work on mixtures and has sensitivity to the femtogramme (10−15 g) level.

  • Item type:Article
    ID code:33812
    Dates:
    Date
    Event
    August 2008
    Published
    Keywords:mammalian mtDNA, non-human DNA, trace evidence, cytochrome b, Genetics, Genetics, Pathology and Forensic Medicine
    Subjects:Science > Natural history > Genetics
    Department:Faculty of Science > Pure and Applied Chemistry
    Depositing user: Pure Administrator
    Date deposited:28 Sep 2011 11:07
    Last modified:20 Jan 2021 19:36
    URI:https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/33812
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