Work

Democratizing DNA Fingerprinting

Year: 2016

Type: preprint

Abstract: We report a rapid, inexpensive, and portable strategy to re-identify human DNA using the MinION, a miniature sequencing sensor by Oxford Nanopore Technologies. Our strategy requires only 10-30 minutes of MinION sequencing, works with low input DNA, and enables familial searches. We also show that it can re-identify individuals from Direct-to-Consumer genomic datasets that are publicly available. We discuss potential forensic applications as well as the legal and ethical implications of a democratized DNA fingerprinting strategy available to the public.

Source: bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)

DOI: 10.1101/061556

Authors: Sophie Zaaijer, Assaf Gordon, Robert Piccone, Daniel Speyer, Yaniv Erlich

Institutions: New York Genome Center, Columbia University

Language: English

Topic: Forensic and Genetic Research

Subfield: Genetics

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: green

Funders: Burroughs Wellcome Fund, Oxford Nanopore Technologies