Our Services
What We Can Do For You
Although we currently specialize in Integrated human identification (HID) solutions, we are fully equipped to assist with other various STR applications, fragment analysis and Sanger DNA sequencing, opening a wide scope of services to cater to our client’s needs.
Relationship (Parental) DNA Testing
We offer paternity testing both for legal/maintenance purposes and for ‘peace of mind’.
Peace of mind’ paternity tests can be done for individuals requiring the outcome of the test for their own knowledge. These results will not be able to be used in court or for any legal purposes.
Should the results be required for court; sampling must be performed by a registered medical practitioner or registered nurse and chain of custody maintained throughout the entire chain from the point of origin through the analysis stages to the ultimate storage of the sample. We will arrange for sample collection and support you throughout the process.
Forensic DNA Profiling
Forensic DNA Relationship testing is often used in criminal situations such as rape or incest where there are products of conception. In addition, forensic paternity/maternity tests, as well as other family relationship tests, can be used to identify missing victims or suspects through their family members who are available for testing.
Forensic DNA profiling, many times, requires handling non-standard types of samples. For example, sexual assault samples are among the most difficult sample types encountered by many forensic laboratories. Samples collected from female victims may contain very low amounts of male DNA mixed with high amounts of female DNA. We employ specialised DNA extraction methods in processing difficult forensic samples and evaluate the quality of the extracted DNA to maximize downstream success.
Risk Screening
Some people have a high genetic predisposition to a disease whilst other might have a low one and yet other individuals might have no susceptibility at all. On the level of genes, some of us carry certain sequences in our genetic code which increase our susceptibility to a disease. Some people carry these gene variants whilst other people do not. Genetic testing provides clinical insight and guide diagnostic decisions.
So, for example, we all carry the BRCA gene which controls breast tissue cell growth and helps prevent cancer or growths. However, certain mutations on this gene can mean the gene is not able to carry out its role in protecting the body and controlling cell growth; thus, this would mean the person would have an increased susceptibility to breast cancer. Begin taking better control of your future health with our DNA health test.
Agriculture and Wildlife
Wildlife preservation: The analytical techniques capable of providing DNA evidence to assist in conservation law enforcement have developed in parallel to human forensic genetics. Short tandem repeat (STR) markers are commonly used to establish a link between an evidence sample and an individual through a unique DNA profile consisting of a subset of these markers. Such systems are used in human forensics and are being applied increasingly to criminal investigations involving domestic and wild animals.
DNA profiling enables law enforcement agencies to combat poaching by scientifically linking evidence such as rhino horn and equipment used in the removal of horns, to specific poaching events.
Ancestry Testing
When an STR value (the number of repeats) changes, this change is passed down to future generations. Y-STR testing focuses on repeats found on the Y chromosome. Only males have the Y chromosome, so these changes are carried exclusively on the male (direct paternal) line. Over time these changes build up to create a unique Y-STR signature that is unique to specific lineages. These signatures rarely go more than a few hundred years without significant changes. Y-STR tests examine a fixed set of markers known to have high variability on the human Y chromosome. They are an effective way to identify men who share a paternal ancestor within relatively recent times.
Vaccine Manufacturing
Although the mRNA vaccine production process is straightforward, accuracy is required for the many steps in which DNA and RNA intermediates are manipulated. Therefore, confirming that plasmids and mRNA do not contain unanticipated sequence changes is critical to helping ensure functionality and expected outcomes. Sequence confirmation is a critical activity during mRNA therapeutic and vaccine manufacturing, both during plasmid production and mRNA identity testing.
Our laboratories are designed to facilitate excellent performance for all aspects of testing.
Environmental conditions are strictly controlled and continuously monitored using reliable CFR-compliant automated electronic systems. We have rigorous security measures in place. Our facility is monitored with an intrusion alarm and CCTV cameras. Entry to the laboratory areas is strictly controlled using a fingerprint access control locking system.
