NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – Illumina today said that it has entered into a collaboration with the University of North Texas Health Science Center focused on applying the firm's next-generation sequencing technologies to forensics.
The firm will work with researchers at UNTHSC's Institute of Applied Genetics and the Department of Forensic and Investigative Genetics to develop and validate assays for forensic identification. The partners intend to study a range of genetic markers for human identity testing, pharmacogenetics for molecular autopsy, microbial forensics, and other markers and methods that could generate investigative leads in criminal cases or for national security applications.
"Our work with Illumina enables us to design sample preparation, analytical protocols, hardware, and software that expand the capabilities of forensic DNA analysts," Bruce Budowle, executive director of UNT's Institute of Applied Genetics and vice chair of the Department of Forensic and Investigative Genetics, said in a statement. "Results of these projects will allow forensic scientists to accelerate implementation of the next wave of forensic DNA analysis tools."
Further terms of the alliance were not disclosed.