Applied Biosystems Introduces New DNA Technologies that Address Major Challenges Facing Forensic Scientists

26/02/2007 - 16:41

Applied Biosystems (NYSE:ABI), an Applera Corporation business,
today announced the first commercial reagent kit for analyzing
degraded or limited DNA; a system with new software for automating DNA
testing processes to streamline forensic laboratory workflow; and a
new software application for expediting the process of laboratory
validation. The company said that it expects the AmpFlSTR(R)
MiniFiler(TM) PCR Amplification Kit for degraded DNA, the HID
EVOlution(TM) System and VALID(TM) Software will help the more than
10,000 forensic laboratories around the world maximize the use of DNA
in human identification.

DNA contained within biological evidence found at a crime scene is
a powerful tool for identifying and excluding potential contributors.
Similar to fingerprinting, DNA testing can identify and differentiate
between individuals. Because DNA can be the ultimate proof of
identity, DNA analysis systems have become a significant part of the
investigative process.

Forensic laboratories use an integrated suite of DNA analysis
technologies, instrumentation and human identification analysis
software to effectively process DNA collected at crime scenes. Each of
these products and technologies are designed to work in unison to
strengthen a crime laboratory's capacity to process reproducible and
defensible DNA samples and eliminate sample backlogs. These
technologies were developed to enable forensic technicians to more
efficiently use DNA in solving crimes, exonerating the wrongly accused
and identifying missing persons.

"Because DNA can be found virtually everywhere, it has become a
great resource in providing information that aids the investigative
process, and there are great demands on forensic labs to process
samples in a quality, timely manner that meets regulatory
requirements," said Kevin Lothridge, executive director of the
National Forensic Science Technology Center (NFSTC). "With tools that
expedite and expand the forensic laboratory's capacity to make
positive identification, we can better support law enforcement and
public safety professionals in their efforts to prosecute the guilty
and exonerate the innocent."

The forensic tools announced by Applied Biosystems include:

-- AmpFlSTR(R) MiniFiler(TM) PCR Amplification Kit - The
MiniFiler kit is the first commercially available DNA testing
kit that enables forensic DNA analysts to generate more useful
information from degraded DNA as well as from samples that are
limited by an impurity - also known as inhibited DNA samples.
The genetic information obtained can then be used in criminal,
missing persons and mass disaster cases. The MiniFiler kit is
expected to be available in March 2007.

-- HID EVOlution(TM) System - Applied Biosystems has formed a
collaboration with Tecan, a leading manufacturer of advanced
automation solutions, to co-develop and co-market the new HID
EVOlution System, an automated DNA workstation with new
software designed to streamline routine casework sample
workflow for human identification applications. The HID
EVOlution System integrates the Tecan Freedom EVO(R) liquid
handling workstation with the Applied Biosystems 7500
Real-Time PCR System, 3130xl Genetic Analyzer and AmpFlSTR DNA
testing kits. By incorporating automated liquid handling and
data transfer into forensic DNA testing laboratories, the HID
EVOlution System reduces the labor required to process
casework samples while decreasing the turnaround time. The
system is expected to be available in March 2007.

-- VALID(TM) Software - Applied Biosystems is also delivering a
new software application for forensic DNA laboratories that is
expected to reduce the amount of labor associated with
conducting validation studies required to implement new
forensic DNA technology, such as the MiniFiler kit. VALID
Software is designed to help support, simplify and standardize
validation studies, while meeting government guidelines, which
oversee the standards for forensic DNA lab operation. VALID
Software is expected to be available in early summer 2007.

"Applied Biosystems is advancing the field of forensic DNA testing
by continuing to invest in new technologies and engage in
collaborations that address the major challenges inherent in forensic
DNA analysis," said Leonard Klevan, Ph.D., president for Applied
Biosystems' applied markets division. "We expect that with the
availability of the MiniFiler kits, the HID EVOlution System and VALID
Software, forensics laboratories worldwide will be better equipped to
analyze complex and challenging DNA samples more quickly and may
possibly solve more cases as a result."

For more information about Applied Biosystems Human Identification
solutions please visit http://marketing.appliedbiosystems.com/HID.

For more information, please contact:
abdirect@eur.appliedbiosystems.com

http://europe.appliedbiosystems.com

For research use only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

Applera Corporation is committed to providing the world's leading
technology and information for life scientists. Applera Corporation
consists of the Applied Biosystems and Celera Genomics businesses.
Applera Corporation undertakes no obligation to release publicly the
results of any revisions to any forward-looking statement made or
implied in this release, which may be made to reflect events or
circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of
unanticipated events. Statements in this release should be evaluated
accordingly.

Applied Biosystems, AB (Design) and AmpFlSTR are registered
trademarks and Applera and MiniFiler are trademarks of Applera
Corporation or its subsidiaries in the US and/or certain other
countries.