High-throughput sequencing of core STR loci for forensic genetic investigations using the Roche Genome Sequencer FLX platform

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

The analysis and profiling of short tandem repeat (STR) loci is routinely used in forensic genetics. Current methods to investigate STR loci, including PCR-based standard fragment analyses and capillary electrophoresis, only provide amplicon lengths that are used to estimate the number of STR repeat units. These methods do not allow for the full resolution of STR base composition that sequencing approaches could provide. Here we present an STR profiling method based on the use of the Roche Genome Sequencer (GS) FLX to simultaneously sequence multiple core STR loci. Using this method in combination with a bioinformatic tool designed specifically to analyze sequence lengths and frequencies, we found that GS FLX STR sequence data are comparable to conventional capillary electrophoresis-based STR typing. Furthermore, we found DNA base substitutions and repeat sequence variations that would not have been identified using conventional STR typing.
Original languageEnglish
JournalBioTechniques
Volume51
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)127-133
Number of pages7
ISSN0736-6205
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2011

ID: 33882847