Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026
06:18
Optimized Bone Sampling Protocols for the Retrieval of Ancient DNA from Archaeological Remains
Published on: November 30, 2021
DNA extraction from aged skeletal samples for STR typing by capillary electrophoresis
René Huel1, Sylvain Amory, Ana Bilić
1International Commission on Missing Persons, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|December 6, 2011
Summary
This study presents a DNA extraction method for skeletal remains, enabling successful identification of missing persons from degraded samples. The validated approach aids in mass disaster and conflict victim identification.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Science
- Molecular Biology
- Anthropology
Background:
- DNA analysis of skeletal remains is crucial for identifying missing persons.
- Existing methods may struggle with degraded or aged skeletal samples from diverse environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a robust DNA extraction method for skeletal samples.
- To detail a multiplex STR typing approach for degraded DNA.
- To demonstrate the method's efficacy in identifying individuals from mass disasters and conflict.
Main Methods:
- Complete demineralization and digestion of skeletal samples.
- DNA purification using silica binding.
- Multiplex STR (Short Tandem Repeat) typing for degraded DNA recovery.
Main Results:
- High success rate in recovering DNA profiles from aged and degraded skeletal remains.
- Effective DNA profile generation across various environmental contexts.
- Successful large-scale DNA-based identification of missing persons.
Conclusions:
- The presented DNA extraction and STR typing method is highly effective for skeletal remains.
- This approach significantly aids in identifying victims of mass disasters and armed conflict.
- Laboratory validation is essential for optimizing amplification and profile reporting criteria.
Related Concept Videos
01:24DNA Isolation
DNA isolation protocols can be fast and straightforward or complex and time-consuming depending on the type and quality of DNA required for further processing. For example, plasmid DNA extraction is a bit more complicated than genomic DNA extraction because of the need for an appropriate lysis method to separate plasmid DNA from gDNA during isolation. However, for specific applications, such as long-range DNA sequencing that require a good yield of high- quality DNA samples, we need to follow...
02:35DNA Agarose Gel Electrophoresis
Agarose gel electrophoresis is a laboratory technique commonly used to separate DNA fragments by size. However, it can also be used to isolate and purify DNA fragments using a gel extraction protocol.
Gel extraction follows five major steps: running gel electrophoresis to separate fragments, isolating the individual bands, extracting DNA from those bands, and removing the dye and salts from the extracted mixture to obtain pure DNA.
In cloning experiments, both the insert and vector DNA...
Gel extraction follows five major steps: running gel electrophoresis to separate fragments, isolating the individual bands, extracting DNA from those bands, and removing the dye and salts from the extracted mixture to obtain pure DNA.
In cloning experiments, both the insert and vector DNA...