DNA Analysis

The DNA of a person is responsible for providing information regarding who and what the person is since it contains the design of the genetically passed traits taken from both parents. A lot of information may be attained when one carefully studies the DNA and relates it to possible other discoveries about the person, such as parentage, disease predisposition, etc. DNA is responsible for the person's hair color, eye color, build, susceptibility to certain disorders, and a lot more. Careful analysis must be done in order to use the DNA as a means to study and evaluate a person with regard to inherent traits passed on by his/her parents.
DNA analysis entails the careful scrutiny of the DNA. Understanding how the DNA works, its physical structure, the limits of its characteristics, and how these all help in providing much needed personal information are some of the ways in which DNA properties are optimized. Not everyone can successfully and properly analyze DNA. Aside from years of study devoted to the understanding of DNA, DNA analysts also go through years of experience and practice in laboratories and in the practice of DNA testing and analysis to enable them to analyze DNA and how it works. Training of DNA analysts also includes understanding sophisticated tools and machines designed for specific DNA analysis. Proper management and use of these devices would make them more efficient in the effort to analyze DNA correctly.
Most DNA consists of 23 pairs of chromosomes, the mitochondrial DNA inherited from the mother, and red blood cells. All these elements are carefully purified, studied, and then measured against existing DNA criteria, depending on which use the DNA analysis is deemed for. DNA analysis determines the sequence of the base pairs along the length of the DNA and will provide information as to which of the gene components contains just genes, which regulate genes, which among them have functions, or which have functions still to be discovered.
Several commonly used DNA analysis techniques include: digestion by restriction endonucleases, gel electrophoresis, blotting and hybridization, synthesis of nucleic acids through polymerase, synthesis of nucleic acid probes, nucleotide sequencing, molecular cloning, or the analysis of reporter genes.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

Ever wondered how are people's genetic make ups defined? Believe it or not but the genetic information among all living organisms except for viruses are controlled by strands of nucleic acids called deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA. DNA serves as the human body's blueprint or code. Its segments called genes store the vital information that depicts the hereditary make up of an organism.
Deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA, is primarily found in the cell's special organelle called the nucleus. However, they may also be found in the mitochondria or the cell's power house.
Deoxyribonucleic acid, DNA, is composed of chemical building blocks called nucleotides. These nucleotides are made up of a five-carbon sugar, a phosphate group and a link of nitrogenous bases. The four nucleotide bases that form DNA are the adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G) and thymine (T). Each of them is specifically paired with the other. Adenine and Guanine are paired to form purines while cytosine and thymine are bound to produce pyrimidines. This specific arrangement, which is also termed as the Chargaff's rule, plays a vital role in the process of replicating a DNA molecule.
With regard to replication, the process starts after a weak chemical bond is broken by enzymes into two poly-nucleic chains. As the base pairs were separated into halves, the surrounding chemical bases may bind to them to form new DNA strands. As the process continues, more and more daughter DNA molecules are being replicated. Damage to the process may cause cell mutation where deletion and addition of base pairs occur.
Other than the genetic function of deoxyribonucleic acid, it also plays an important role in the protein synthesis. Basically, there are two major processes involved in protein synthesis. These are the translation and transcription. The DNA works hand in hand with RNA in working out on the procedures. RNA molecules have a similar structure same as to a DNA except that they are shorter and have the base uracil in place of a thymine.
As years passed by, DNA has been used in various technological developments. Nowadays, DNA molecules are used in genetic engineering or genetic modification. This technological advancement is used to directly manipulate an organism's genetic material. Using recombinant DNA techniques, a genetically modified organism is created. This was first done in bacteria in 1973, followed by a mouse in 1974. This has been significant in the discovery of insulin-producing bacteria and herbicide-tolerant crops. Furthermore, DNA molecules are also beneficial among forensic experts in solving a crime. By taking specimens like blood, semen, skin, hair or saliva found in a crime scene, the experts may determine who are the involved persons are. This process is also called as DNA profiling or genetic fingerprinting. It was first discovered by the British geneticist Sir Alec Jeffreys in 1984, and was first used in 1988 in convicting Colin pitchfork in the Enderby murder case.

Having all this information, it can be concluded how DNA has been an important component of a living thing's structure and how helpful it is in our daily lives.

What Is The Best DNA Test?

Why is DNA Lab Testing so accurate?

These genetic lab tests are so accurate because of what is being tested, DNA. The human DNA strand is the unique identification number, so to speak, for each and every human being. No two people have the exact same genetic makeup. There are genetic similarities between biological parents and their children, but the children still have their own unique genetic characteristics. It's the perfect solution for identifying people in particular situations because there is such a high level of certainty involved when DNA is analyzed.

What types of testing tools are there?

Before we can answer what is the best DNA test, we must first understand what types of tests are available and how they differ from each other.

Home Collection DNA Kits

You can purchase DNA home testing kits which can be used for determining biological relationships to parents, but these kits may not be as accurate as one would like. There are simply too many factors and too much room for error during the testing process.

DNA Testing Centers

These facilities have the equipment and professionals required to perform various DNA tests that provide accurate and conclusive results. You can use these testing centers for a number of testing purposes. These facilities are often used in child custody disputes and other legal proceedings.

When it comes to which one is more accurate, the winner is the DNA testing centers because they have the technology, expertise and equipment available to be able to perform tests with the highest degree of accuracy.

In order to get the best results and determine what is the best DNA test, genetic samples must remain in a completely uncontaminated state. This will produce the most accurate results which can be used in order to provide a solid conclusion based on the evidence. Once the evidence is contaminated, then it is no good and will produce results that have a high level of error.

Discovering the best DNA test is sometimes a difficult thing to do because there are so many different factors involved. The type of testing that needs to be done will help narrow down the options as far as methods go, but after that it really depends on the conditions of the test and the overall ability to produce accurate results.

Five Top Things to Know About a DNA Paternity Test

1. Most accurate method of determining biological relationships

A DNA Paternity test is the most accurate way of determining a biological relationship between an alleged father/mother and their child. Whilst in the past blood grouping analysis was used as a screening method, the relevance of this test has been greatly reduced as the level of accuracy of this type of test is low compared to the result of a DNA test. A DNA paternity test will provide 100% certainty of exclusion and 99.9%+ probability of inclusion.

2. Difference between an At-Home Paternity Test and a Legal Paternity Test

The difference between an At-Home Paternity Test (also called Curiosity Test) and a Legal Paternity Test is not the actual result but the way in which the sample collection is performed. For an At-Home Paternity test, a home DNA kit is normally sent to the requesting party. The kit will normally include i) oral swabs to take the saliva sample, ii) documentation to provide relevant information including consent iii) instructions and terms and conditions of sale. The sample is taken by the parties themselves who are participating in the test. In a Legal DNA Paternity Test, the sample collection must follow a strict chain of custody procedure. All samples need to be collected and documented by a independent third party (normally a qualified general practitioner or nurse) who will be responsible to verify and authenticate the samples. The actual result of the paternity in terms of the biological relationship will not differ.

3. Always select a properly accredited laboratory

Always chose to do your paternity test through a company that uses an ISO17025 and/or AABB accredited laboratory. This will ensure the quality and accuracy of the results. Also make sure that when report the result a full DNA profile is provided for the 16 loci analyzed, as well as the statistical probability of paternity. A simple Yes/No answer should not be deemed acceptable.

4. Paternity tests can be performed without the sample of the mother

To perform a DNA Paternity test the sample of the Mother is not necessary to obtain an accurate result. However, when available, it is always recommended that the sample of the Mother is also provided. Only in specific cases will the sample of the mother provide more accurate results such in the case of gene mutation. Many companies offer to test the mother at no extra charge.

5. DNA can be obtained from a diverse range of samples

It is possible to obtain DNA from a number of other sources such as hair, blood, semen and items such as cigarette butts and a toothbrush. Whilst the current standard is to use an oral swab to collect saliva samples, in cases where a person may not be physically present, able or willing to donate a sample, then alternate samples can be obtained.

A Brief Introduction of the Alternative Samples

There is no suitable alternative to DNA paternity testing that can accurately prove the biological relation between a man and his child. The samples are collected from both the father and child. These samples are then examined properly to find out the similarities between them. The result indubitably confirms if the child is the biological offspring of the individual. Samples are usually collected with help of a buccal swab instead of the painful method of syringe pushing. The modernized method of sample collection is simple and painless. The swab is gently rubbed on the inside of the mouth to collect saliva. The collected saliva is used as a sample for DNA paternity testing.

The samples for paternity test can be classified into two categories - standard and non-standard. The standard samples are collected directly from the individuals. But if the person is missing or dead, the standard samples can not be obtained and in that case the non-standard samples are collected for DNA paternity test.

The direct or standard samples include hair, blood, nail, bone and sperm. On the other hand, cigarette butt, chewing gum, toothbrush, envelope and stamp are regarded as the non-standard samples. Now let us briefly discuss about these alternative samples of DNA paternity test.

Cigarette Butt: It is an ideal source to obtain DNA sample from. Generally, a smoker is required to submit 2-4 cigarette butts to test DNA paternity. The sample can be placed in a plastic or paper envelope and then is sent to the lab. A distinguished mark is required to identify the sample as a non-standard one. Complication arises if the cigarette is shared. In that case, advanced analysis is done to separate two profiles from the same sample.

Chewing Gum: It can make an excellent sample to collect DNA. It is hardly shared and therefore profile mapping involves no complication. Generally sugar free gum is the most preferred sample for DNA paternity test. To avoid contamination, an individual should not touch it with his fingers.

Toothbrush: Toothbrush is a vital non-standard sample used for DNA collection. The more the sample is used by an individual, the more DNA is likely to obtain. Generally a toothbrush is not shared but in case it is, the DNA paternity testing involves further analysis to separate the involved samples. The brush gets contaminated if it is handled from the end of the bristles. Prior to sending the sample to the lab, the brush is exposed to air for 30-60 minutes for drying. Normal plastic or paper envelope is used to package this sample and send to lab.

Envelope and stamp: Licked envelopes and stamps are also used as samples to collect DNA. But there is a problem in using this sample to test DNA paternity. Sometimes it is not possible to confirm that an envelope or stamp is licked. The majority of the persons are in the habit of using saliva to close an envelope or affix a stamp to it. But if saliva is not used, then DNA can not be collected from this sample. Therefore, it is not a very reliable source for DNA paternity testing. The client should make sure not to touch the seal as well as back of the sample in order to minimize the possibility of contamination.