Vanadium

Accelerated PCR
DYLAN BOMM
HUSSAIN AL MARZOOQI
VALERIO GANI

Vanadium accelerates polymerase chain reaction

and expands the applicability
of forensic DNA testing

Junko Kaminiwa MS, Nursing

Scientist, Katsuya Honda MD,
PhD, Forensic Scientist, Yukiko
Sugano PhD, Medicine Historian,
Shizue Yano MD, Forensic
Pathologist, Takeki Nishi MS,
Forensic Scientist, Yuko Sekine
MD, Forensic Pathologist

Introduction

Poor quality of DNA in forensics analysis.

Small amounts of DNA.

Increasing of sensitivity and specificity of PCR was needed.

New method was needed.

Research was conducted in the University of Tsukuba, Japan.

Vanadium was use as specimen element to increase yield.

What is Vanadium?

An abundant element found in

the earths crust.

Most commonly use in steel

alloys

Known to be a trace element in

growth in mammals.

Aims
The Specifics Questions
addressed.

To test wether Vanadium has

ability's to enhance PCR for
application to forensic DNA
analysis.

The Goals of the

Research.

To increase the sensitivity and

specificity of PCR by using
Vanadium.

To gain results for DNA analysis

with samples of low quality and
quantity.

Methods
How the Research was
Undertaken

Research done by comparison

with different concentrations of
Vanadium enhanced buffer to
determine the effect of the
element on PRC

When the Research was

Undertaken

The research was carried out in

early 2012

Methods
Techniques Undertaken

Use of genomic human DNA use

as a PCR template.

The control was from the mtDNA

region.

Geneamp PCR system was use to

preform PCR amplification.

A 3 step PCR thermolcycle was

used.

A series of Vanadium
tetrachloride enhanced buffers
ranging form 0 to 2.4g/ml.

Methods
How was the data analysed

Through comparative results with

set parameters and variables
such as different concentrations
and quantity of vanadium and
DNA matter.

The data gained from a master

mix kit

And different loci sections of the

Y chromosome and mtDNA.

Results
What data was collected

Amplification plots

Weights and concentrations

Photo results

What did the data show

The effects of different

concentrations of vanadium on
set samples of DNA (including a
control sample and mtDNA)

The effects of a set concentration

of Vanadium (1.5g/ml) on the
amplification of different sample
sizes of DNA

Results
What did the data show

The effects of different

concentrations of vanadium on
set samples of DNA (including a
control sample and mtDNA)
Figure 1

Figure 2
Figure 3

Results

The effects of a set concentration

of Vanadium (1.5g/ml) on the
amplification of different sample
sizes of DNA

Figure 4

Results

Amplification plot

Discussion

The results were of high

significance given that it was
tested in different concentrations
of vanadium in comparison to no
vanadium

The results went on to show the

effects of Vanadium on 3
different autosomal
chromosomes.

Discussion

The study demonstrated that it

was possible to get positive
results with low sample
quality/size

The use of a metal compound in

forensic DNA analysis

Conclusion

The study provided evidence that

PCR is remarkable enhance with
the edition of Vanadium

Intro

DNA analysis is can play a major part in forensic investigation,

however same sample may be of too poor a quality or to small a
sample for PCR and thus failing to gain a positive result.

This article explains and showcases the results of PCR enhanced

with a metal compound.

The addition of Vanadium in the PCR could help yield useable

results that could potentially exclude of convict someone.

This research was carried out in Tsukuba, Japan.

Aims

The goals of the research were to determine that with the

addition of the Vanadium enhanced buffer could amplify samples
that where previously methods were unable to.

The question being asked was would the addition of such a metal
that has be known from medical properties and has been
considered an essential trace element for growth and
reproduction in mammals be a suitable catalyst to increase PCR
results.

Methods

Results

Discussion

The results show a significant increase of product from the

addition of the Vanadium enhanced buffer, where other results
have failed.

This information is useful in the sense that previously unusable

samples wether due to poor quality of little quantity will now be
useable in forensic DNA analysis.

The results in contrast to other studys is something unseen

given little of what's known about Vanadium in biological
systems. And the little coloration between Vanadium, the earths
crust and speculated DNA activity associated with volcanic
activity.

The method used here could potentially provide many new door
in not only the forensic field but also that of biomedicine.

Conclusion

In conclusion the this study demonstrated the first evidence that

PCR can be massivly enhanced with the addition of Vanadium, at
the optimal concentration that was also determined in this study
(1.5-1.7g/ml).