Application Note Shows ZyGEM's forensicGEM® Tissue Facilitates Forensic Casework by Rapidly and Reproducibly Extracting DNA From Human Hair

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Oct. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- ZyGEM Corp. Ltd., a developer and marketer of innovative products for the analysis of DNA and other nucleic acids, today announced publication of an application note showing that its forensicGEM® Tissue kit can rapidly extract DNA from small samples of human hair.  The extracted DNA can be used to produce accurate, reliable and reproducible DNA profiles for forensic casework analysis.  ZyGEM's forensicGEM® Tissue kit employs a single tube and is easy to use, yielding high quality DNA in less time than conventional methods.

As a source of DNA, hair can prove vital in forensic human identification.  Hair found at crime scenes can provide important evidence and in some cases, it is the only link to a suspect.  Forensic DNA profiles obtained from hair samples rely on the critical step of DNA extraction to obtain sufficient quantities of good quality DNA.  But most current extraction methods involve a lengthy process that requires extensive manual manipulation.  This application note prepared by a forensic scientist who works in a metropolitan crime laboratory shows how ZyGEM's forensicGEM® Tissue is a quick and reliable method for the extraction of DNA from hair, producing adequate amounts of DNA in just 20 minutes.  It is being used successfully in the author's laboratory and has proven to be a better alternative to other, more time-consuming protocols.

"Our forensicGEM® Tissue kit illustrates how our enzyme-based DNA extraction kits enable scientists and practitioners to obtain accurate, reliable and reproducible DNA from a variety of difficult samples simply, rapidly and cost effectively," commented Paul Kinnon, chief executive officer of ZyGEM.  "Our kits are not only faster and easier to use, they often produce superior results.  We are especially pleased to release this application note at the 22nd ISHI meeting, the preeminent gathering of forensic scientists from around the globe."

ZyGEM develops and markets proprietary technologies for the extraction of DNA and RNA from diverse samples using thermophilic enzymes.  The unique properties of the company's prepGEM®, forensicGEM®, livestockGEM® and RNAGEM® families of nucleic acid extraction kits make possible cost effective and flexible solutions for researchers performing a wide variety of life sciences and biomedical studies, including human genotyping, animal testing and basic research.  For more information on ZyGEM's kits, visit http://zygem.com/Products/Products-Ovw.html or email [email protected]       

The application note, titled "Extraction of DNA from Hair using forensicGEM® Tissue," was authored by Kimberly Fiorucci of the Mesa Arizona Police Department Forensic Services Section.  It is available at http://zygem.com/Products/Products-Pubs.html.

To learn more about ZyGEM's products, visit Booth 213 at the 22nd International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI) being held October 3-6, 2011 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, MD.  See http://www.ishi22.com for more information.

About ZyGEM

ZyGEM Corporation markets nucleic acid extraction solutions based on the company's exclusive collection of microorganisms from extreme environments, with applications in basic research, forensics, clinical diagnostics and agriculture.  ZyGEM's MicroLab unit is developing integrated sample-to-answer systems with the potential to revolutionize forensic testing.  For more information, visit www.zygem.com.

SOURCE ZyGEM Corp. Ltd.