Illumina has signed a collaborative research agreement with the Department of Forensic and Investigative Genetics and the Institute of Applied Genetics at the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC).
The goals of the collaboration include research, development, validation, and implementation of practical assays for forensic identification using Illumina’s powerful sequencing technologies.
Under the agreement, the studies should be carried out on forensically relevant genetic markers for human identity testing, pharmacogenetics for molecular autopsy, microbial forensics, and additional markers and methods to generate investigative leads in criminal cases and matters of national security.
UNT Institute of Applied Genetics executive director and Department of Forensic and Investigative Genetics vice chair Bruce Budowle said results of these projects will allow forensic scientists to accelerate implementation of the next wave of forensic DNA analysis tools.
"The next-generation sequencing collaboration will lead us to a forensic DNA testing capability and enable forensic laboratories to apply the advanced science to assist law enforcement and the forensic medical community," Budowle said.