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Deborah Polanskey

Publications and source records attributed to Deborah Polanskey.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

Evaluation of variation in control region sequences for Hispanic individuals in the SWGDAM mtDNA data set.

The Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM) Hispanic data set was analyzed to determine the diversity, phylogeny, and relevant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that describe haplogroup patterns for Hispanic Americans (N=686), and to assess the degree of admixture regarding mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). The largest component of admixture based on mtDNA analysis derives from the four major haplogroups previously observed in Native American ancestry, including A (29.3%), B (15.7%), C (20.6%), and D (4.8%). European (17.8%) and African (11.8%) haplogroups also were observed within this data set. Hispanic SWGDAM samples from the southwest, compared with other SWGDAM Hispanic samples, were observed to have a greater percent of Native American haplogroups present (79.9%), and fewer African American haplogroups (4.5%). A total of 234 SNPs were observed in the data set, including 36 newly reported variable positions. These SWGDAM Hispanic data set SNPs ranged from having 1 to 31 changes (Length=L) on the phylogenetic tree, with site 16519 being the most variable. On average, there were 3.9 character changes for each variable position on the tree. The most variable sites (with 13 or more changes each listed from fastest to slowest) observed were 16519 (L=31), 16189 (L=23), 152 (L=23), 16311 (L=19), 146 (L=17), 195 (L=17), 16093 (L=15), 16362 (L=14), 16129 (L=13), 150 (L=13), and 153 (L=13). These sites are consistent with other reports on highly variable positions. A total of 27 SNPs were chosen to identify all clusters containing 1% (N=7) or more individuals in the SWGDAM Hispanic data set. The descriptive analyses revealed that the SWGDAM Hispanic data set is similar to published Native American and Hispanic data sets.

DNA Fingerprinting↗

Characterization of human control region sequences of the African American SWGDAM forensic mtDNA data set.

The scientific working group on DNA analysis Methods (SWGDAM) mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) population data set is used to infer the relative rarity of control region mtDNA profiles obtained from evidence samples and of profiles used for identification of missing persons. In this study, the African American haplogroup patterns in the SWGDAM data were analyzed in a phylogenetic context to determine relevant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and to describe haplogroup distributions for Africans observed in these data sets. Over 200 SNPs (n=217) were observed in the African American data set (n=1148). These SNPs ranged from having 1-39 changes in the phylogenetic tree, with sites 152 and 16519 being the most variable. On average there were 5.8 changes for a character on the tree. The most variable sites (with 19 or more changes each) observed included 16093, 16129, 16189, 16311, 16362, 16519, 146, 150, 152, 189, and 195. These rapidly changing sites are consistent with other published analyses. Only 34 SNPs are needed to identify all clusters containing 10 or more individuals in the African American data set. The results show that the African American SWGDAM mtDNA data set contains variation consistent with that described in continental African populations. Thirteen of the 18 haplogroups previously observed in African populations were observed and include: L1a, L1b, L1c, L2a, L2b, L2c, L3b, L3d, L3e1, L3e2, L3e3, L3e4 and L3f. Haplogroup L2a is the most commonly observed cluster (18.8%) in the African American data set. The next most common haplogroups in the African American data set include the clusters L1c (11.0%), L1b (9.1%), L3e2 (9.0%) and L3b (8.1%). Approximately 8% of the haplogroups observed within African Americans were common in European Caucasians or East Asians; these were H (n=32), J (n=4), K (n=5), T (n=2), U5 (n=6), U6 (n=9 also known from North Africa), A (n=12), B (n=7), C (n=4), and M (n=16), respectively. The European Caucasian and East Asian haplogroups are expected due to admixture between individuals with recent ancestry in Western Eurasia and sub-Saharan Africa. The genetic characterization of these relevant data sets is fully consistent with other published mtDNA genetic variation. The sequence diversity observed in this data set makes it a valuable tool for forensic applications.

Black People↗

Addressing the use of phylogenetics for identification of sequences in error in the SWGDAM mitochondrial DNA database.

The SWGDAM mtDNA database is a publicly available reference source that is used for estimating the rarity of an evidence mtDNA profile. Because of the current processes for generating population data, it is unlikely that population databases are error free. The majority of the errors are due to human error and are transcriptional in nature. Phylogenetic analysis of data sets can identify some potential errors, and coupled with a review of the sequence data or alignment sheets can be a very useful tool. Seven sequences with errors have been identified by phylogenetic analysis. In addition, two samples were inadvertently modified when placed in the SWGDAM database. The corrected sequences are provided so that users can modify appropriately the current iteration of the SWGDAM database. From a practical perspective, upper bound estimates of the percentage of matching profiles obtained from a database search containing an incorrect sequence and those of a database containing the corrected sequence are not substantially different. Community wide access and review has enabled identification of errors in the SWGDAM data set and will continue to do so. The result of public accessibility is that the quality of the SWGDAM forensic dataset is always improving.

Base Sequence↗

Evaluation of a multicapillary electrophoresis instrument for mitochondrial DNA typing.

Laser-induced detection of fluorescent labeled PCR products and multi-wavelength detection (i.e., multicolor analysis) enables rapid generation of mtDNA sequencing profiles. Traditionally, polyacrylamide slab gels have been used as the electrophoretic medium for mtDNA sequencing in forensic analyses. Replacement of slab gel electrophoresis with capillary electrophoresis (CE) can facilitate automation of the analytical process. Automation and high throughput can be further enhanced by using multicapillary electrophoretic systems. The use of the ABI Prism 3100 Genetic Analyzer (ABI 3100, Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA) as well as the ABI Prism 310 Genetic Analyzer (ABI 310, Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA) were evaluated for mtDNA sequencing capabilities and compared with sequencing results obtained on the platform currently in use in the FBI Laboratory (the ABI Prism 377 DNA Sequencer, ABI 377, Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA). Various studies were performed to assess the utility of the ABI 3100, as well as the ABI 310 for mtDNA sequencing. The tests included: comparisons of results obtained among the ABI 3100, the ABI 310 and the ABI 377 instruments; comparisons of results obtained within and between capillary arrays; evaluation of capillary length; evaluation of sample injection time; evaluation of the resolution of mixtures/heteroplasmic samples; and evaluation of the sensitivity of detection of a minor component with reduced template on the ABI 3100. In addition, other studies were performed to improve sample preparation; these included: comparison of template suppression reagent (TSR, Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA) versus formamide; the use of Performa DTR Gel Filtration Cartridges (Edge BioSystems Inc., Gaithersburg, MD) versus Centri-Sep Spin Columns (Princeton Separations, Adelphia, NJ) for product purification after cycle sequencing; and sample stability after denaturation. The data support that valid and reliable results can be obtained using either capillary electrophoresis instrument, and the quality of sequencing results are comparable to or better than those obtained from the ABI 377 instrument.

DNA, Mitochondrial↗