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- Posted Tuesday October 13, 2009
Forensics Firm Builds on Genomic Discovery to Advance DNA-based Identification
New technology overcomes problem of mixed sample
complexity
LAS VEGAS, Nev.-Oct. 13, 2009-High-tech forensics firm, Casework
Genetics is applying new technology to forensic evidence enabling
law enforcement labs to solve crimes with greater molecular
precision and efficiency than ever before.
Dr. Kevin McElfresh, President and CEO of Casework Genetics, is
presenting the technology platform and validation study findings
today at the 20th International Symposium on Human Identification.
Casework Genetics technology features genomic techniques developed
by the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and the
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). A copy of McElfresh's
presentation, which includes highlights from the study by McElfresh
and co-workers, may be found at www.caseworkgen.com.
Casework Genetics licensed the TGen-UCLA technology and paired it
with other patents it developed allowing the Virginia-based firm to
identify the DNA of individuals in complex mixtures, with an
unprecedented degree of detail, even when mixed with the DNA of as
many as 100 other persons.
There are nearly 20 million arrests in the U.S. annually, and
police now require DNA evidence in the overwhelming majority of
cases, which places increased demands on local, state and federal
law enforcement labs. The data to be presented will show that
Casework Genetics offers a viable solution that enables police
agencies to solve many more crimes.
"Our technology allows us to make a positive identification of DNA
from crime scene evidence and overcome the challenges associated
with mixed samples," said McElfresh. "The current technology being
used, which is now 15 years old, often fails to yield a conclusive
result on mixed samples. Fortunately, our technology solves this
problem."
Casework Genetics uses a technology based on identifying DNA
through the use of ultra high-density Single Nucleotide
Polymorphisms (SNPs) arrays, which provide the platform for
distinguishing characters within the 3 billion letters of every
person's DNA. "It is by far, more exacting than the Short Tandem
Repeat (STR) technology, which has represented state-of-the-art
forensic technology for most of the past decade," explains
McElfresh.
"This technology addresses in a practical way, the long standing
problem of analyzing forensic crime samples containing DNA from
multiple sources. Casework now offers the ability to process and
interpret these frustratingly difficult mixture samples to provide
judicially-important results," said Dr. Ron Sosnowski, Chief
Scientific Officer for Casework Genetics.
Dr. David Craig, Associate Director of TGen's Neurogenomics
Division and a co-discoverer of the technology, said Casework
Genetics has the ability to significantly impact the field of
forensic identification. Working with the collaborators at UCLA,
Craig first published the genomic techniques employed by Casework
Genetics in a scientific paper published last year in PLOs
Genetics.
Casework Genetics is the first of several companies assisted by the
Phoenix-based Catapult Bio, a non-profit organization established
this year to accelerate new scientific ideas, transforming them
into commercial products and viable business ventures.
"Casework Genetics represents the perfect case study for what
Catapult Bio has been created to accomplish. It illustrates how we
help identify important discoveries and bring together the
necessary resources, including partners, technology and funding, to
fill important gaps that exist in the marketplace," says Catapult
Bio CEO and co-founder, MaryAnn Guerra. "With TGen as a partner, we
facilitated the creation of Casework Genetics in fewer than six
months and are thrilled to see what has been accomplished
scientifically in such a short amount of time."
"This technology has the potential to address a significant unmet
need in the forensics community," said Dr. Ron King, President and
Chief Scientific Officer of Catapult Bio, which has helped Casework
Genetics establish a business plan for its nationwide growth.
To accommodate the multi-billion-dollar forensic market, Casework
Genetics plans to create 25 jobs over the next three years with an
average annual salary of nearly $89,000. As a function of the
CatapultBio funding and mission to drive economic development in
Arizona, Casework Genetics will be looking west for the expansion
of its operations.
The leadership of Casework Genetics is highly skilled in forensic
identification. Dr. McElfresh has participated in a number of
high-profile forensics operations, including samplings from the
9/11 terrorist attacks, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and
numerous airline disasters. Dr. Sosnowski holds 15 patents
involving DNA analysis.
About Casework Genetics
Casework Genetics uses cutting-edge technology to provide human
identification through DNA, the genetic code that makes every human
being unique. We provide capabilities that go well beyond the
current state-of-the-art technologies now used by even the most
sophisticated law enforcement agencies. Casework Genetics is ready
to stand by its findings in court to ensure the successful
prosecution of every law enforcement case. For more information:
please visit: www.caseworkgen.com.
About Catapult Bio
Catapult Bio is a non-profit firm dedicated to transforming
discoveries into new business opportunities that accelerate
commercialization of life science technologies in Arizona. Catapult
Bio focuses on diagnostics, therapeutics, devices, tools, and
services. The organization's mission and staffing are dedicated to
creating innovative programs that bridge the common resource gaps
to efficiently enhance and develop technology into commercially
available products and services. For more information, please
visit: www.catapultbio.org.
About TGen
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix,
Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting
groundbreaking research with life changing results. Research at
TGen is focused on helping patients with diseases such as cancer,
neurological disorders and diabetes. TGen is on the cutting edge of
translational research where investigators are able to unravel the
genetic components of common and complex diseases. Working with
collaborators in the scientific and medical communities, TGen
believes it can make a substantial contribution to the efficiency
and effectiveness of the translational process. For more
information, please visit: www.tgen.org.
# # #
Media Contacts:
Casework Genetics
Dr. Kevin McElfresh
CEO
540-226-3151
[email protected]
CatapultBio
Denise Resnik
602-956-8834
TGen
Steve Yozwiak
Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]