Data as solution       

For media information contact:

Flora Kan

Phone: 240-631-7933

Release Date: October 8, 2003

Here Are Just a Few of Our Starfruit Clients...

Data Unlimited International, Inc., Maryland, USA - October 8, 2003 - National Institute of Justice (NIJ) awarded nine companies a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) on May 5, 2003 to perform DNA genotyping work meant to help clear the backlog of samples associated with convicted offenders.  The BPA was issued under the auspices of the President's Initiative to Advance Justice through DNA Technology, and is collectively valued at $25 million for the period of April 1, 2003 through March 31, 2004.  The President's Initiative calls for $232.6 million in federal funding for fiscal year 2004, which began October 1, 2003.  This includes $100.7 million in new funding, and in addition, the Justice Department is targeting $13.5 million in fiscal year 2004 funding from existing programs within the Office of Justice to support the DNA initiative.

Two (22%) of the nine companies are using Starfruit products including Commonwealth Biotechnologies, Inc. (CBI) and ReliaGene Technologies, Inc.

CBI is a life sciences contract research organization and biotechnology company.  Additionally, CBI also performs high-throughput mitochondrial DNA sequence analysis for the purpose of identifying new genetic markers that can be used for population identity analysis. CBI announced on September 24, 2003 that CBI had been awarded by NIJ on behalf of the State of Minnesota for DNA fingerprint analysis on back-logged convicted offender case samples. CBI is one of the first companies awarded a portion of the new federal funds.

CBI uses Starfruit for the scope of work involving sample accessioning, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) management and tracking, worksheet management and tracking, chain of custody, standard bar code technology, data interface with ABI Genetyper® and ABI PRISM® sequencers. Starfruit enables data interface with profilers that are generated by the analysis of specimens using reagents such as the AmpFISTR® Profiler Plus and AmpFISTR® Cofiler PCR Amplification Kits. The use of these reagent kits in conjunction with the ABI GeneScan® Analysis Software, ABI Genotyper® Software, and ABI PRISM® sequencers provides allelic information for the thirteen core STR loci selected for CODIS. Additional scope of work covers 2D barcode technology, parentage index calculation, CODIS frequencies lookup; manage and maintain the system for data collection, archiving, and redistribution; develop and implement the system for assessing requirements and monitoring system performance.

ReliaGene Technologies, Inc. is a DNA laboratory and research facility specializing in human genetic identification for paternity, forensic and molecular diagnostic applications. 

ReliaGene Technologies, Inc. uses Starfruit for the scope of work included Starfruit server installation and configuration, Starfruit IdentiTrack computer licenses, Starfruit Smart Card Electronic Signature, PDF export to bind electronic signature to meet the requirements of FDA 21CFR11 electronic record management and electronic signature.Other ongoing tasks include HelpDesk technical support and customization for billing. Feature highlight is: 
·Track samples, clients, submitting agencies, client database, drawing centers database
·Create gel tracking data to export to instruments
·Import allele data from instruments
·Manage allele frequencies, frequency reference database management
·Identify-obligated alleles
·Calculations included one-parent, two-parent, full-sib, half-sib, cousin, aunt-nephew, compare two children with mother, reconstruction, identity, 2-person relationship, 3-person paternity, homo/hetero/mix forensic DNA.
·Assess paternity and likelihood ratio mathematically
·Automate reporting inclusion or exclusion paternity test results and forensic matching
·Inventory control, chemical reorder threshold, equipment maintenance management
·Standard operating procedure management, protocol version control, and archival
·Sample management: check-in, check-out, chain of custody tracking and reports
·Laboratory analysis: tracking DNA extraction, digestion, amplification, and genotyping, including STR/PCR protocols. One-way workflow avoided contamination.
·Plate working records (sample sheets) export and allele data import to and from ABI PRISM; automatically compile and populate samples identification, controls, and blanks to plate working records to export - avoid time-consuming clerical typing tasks - prevent transcript errors
·Billing and manage patients' demographics and case records
·Batch-process samples. The system prompts to identify what kind of cases (case type) these samples belong to so that the system can handle them in the same manner. For example, if it is paternity case, then it is different from forensic calculation that FBI demands.
·In the worksheet set-up for Extraction and Profiler/COFiler analysis, SGM, PowerPlex, Y-Plex, mtDNA, presumptive testing for blood or semen, etc.

·Instrument interface with ABI310, 370, 377, and 3100.
 

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This web page was updated on October 8, 2003.

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