Transcriptomic analysis of degraded forensic body fluids

Forensic Science International. Genetics
Meng-Han LinRachel Fleming

Abstract

Massively parallel sequencing (MPS) has facilitated a significant increase in transcriptomic studies in all biological disciplines. However, the analysis of degraded RNA remains a genuine challenge in practice. In forensic science the biological samples encountered are often extensively degraded and of low abundance. RNA from these compromised samples is used for body fluid identification through the detection of body fluid-specific transcripts. Here we demonstrate the sequencing of four forensically relevant body fluids: oral mucosa/saliva (buccal), circulatory blood, menstrual blood and vaginal fluid. RNA was extracted from fresh, two and six week aged samples. Despite the extensive degradation of most body fluids, significant high quality sequencing output (>80% sequence above Q30) was generated. An average of over 80% of reads from all but one sample aligned successfully to the reference human genome. Furthermore, FPKMs (fragments per kilobase of exon per million fragments mapped) generated indicate the accurate detection of known body fluid markers in respective body fluids. Assessment of global gene expression levels over degradation time enabled the characterisation of differential RNA degradation in different body fluid...Continue Reading

References

Aug 21, 2003·Forensic Science International : Synergy·Jane Juusola, Jack Ballantyne
Dec 4, 2003·Nature Genetics·Herbert AuerKarl Kornacker
Jun 9, 2005·Forensic Science International : Synergy·Jane Juusola, Jack Ballantyne
Sep 24, 2005·Nature Methods·Shawn C BakerUNKNOWN External RNA Controls Consortium
Nov 8, 2005·Journal of Clinical Microbiology·Jørn A AasFloyd E Dewhirst
Nov 18, 2005·Forensic Science International : Synergy·Christa NussbaumerIrina Korschineck
Jan 24, 2008·Genome Research·William BrockmanDavid B Jaffe
Jun 3, 2008·Nature Methods·Ali MortazaviBarbara Wold
Nov 19, 2008·Nature Reviews. Genetics·Zhong WangMichael Snyder
Feb 14, 2009·Forensic Science International. Genetics·C HaasA Kratzer
Mar 18, 2009·Bioinformatics·Cole TrapnellSteven L Salzberg
Sep 18, 2009·Current Opinion in Microbiology·Cynthia Mira Sharma, Jörg Vogel
Feb 17, 2010·Journal of Ocular Biology, Diseases, and Informatics·Christina A HarringtonMichelle M Garred
May 12, 2010·Forensic Science International. Genetics·Rachel I Fleming, SallyAnn Harbison
May 12, 2010·Forensic Science International. Genetics·Anna BowdenSallyAnn Harbison
May 12, 2010·Forensic Science International. Genetics·Rachel I Fleming, SallyAnn Harbison
Sep 30, 2010·BMC Bioinformatics·Murray P CoxPatrick J Biggs
Oct 29, 2010·Genome Biology·Simon Anders, Wolfgang Huber
Jan 12, 2011·International Journal of Legal Medicine·Mijke VisserManfred Kayser
Feb 15, 2011·Nucleic Acids Research·Joëlle VermeulenJo Vandesompele
May 21, 2011·Blood·Jesse W RowleyAndrew S Weyrich
Jul 9, 2011·Nucleic Acids Research·Muhammad A TariqNader Pourmand
Aug 6, 2011·Genome Research·Lichun JiangBrian Oliver
Feb 14, 2012·Forensic Science International. Genetics·E HansonJ Ballantyne
Oct 30, 2012·Cell·Jakob LovénRichard A Young
Feb 6, 2013·Science & Justice : Journal of the Forensic Science Society·Erin K Hanson, Jack Ballantyne
May 21, 2013·Nature Methods·Xian AdiconisJoshua Z Levin
Sep 24, 2013·Nature Methods·Philip BrenneckeMarcus G Heisler
Nov 20, 2013·Investigative Genetics·Lutz Roewer
Jan 1, 2014·PloS One·Cristian Del FabbroFederico M Giorgi
Mar 19, 2014·PloS One·Benjamín SigurgeirssonJoakim Lundeberg
Jun 3, 2014·BMC Biology·Irene Gallego RomeroYoav Gilad
Oct 24, 2014·BMC Research Notes·Emily A ChenJames A Knowles

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Oct 21, 2015·Forensic Science International. Genetics·Meng-Han LinRachel Fleming
Mar 30, 2016·Forensic Science International : Synergy·E De VittoriV Romano Spica
Jun 12, 2019·Journal of Forensic Sciences·Tiffany R LayneSarah J Seashols-Williams
Jan 23, 2020·Electrophoresis·Paolo FattoriniCarlo Previderè
Mar 4, 2021·Forensic Science International. Genetics·Cordula HaasJack Ballantyne
May 21, 2021·Forensic Science International. Genetics·Andrea Patrizia SalzmannCordula Haas
Jun 6, 2021·Forensic Science International. Genetics·Andrea Patrizia SalzmannCordula Haas

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.