Preliminary Evaluation of Xtrana's Xtra Amp® DNA Extraction System for Potential use with Mass Disaster Samples

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe Xtra Amp® Series III kit was released by Xtrana in early 2002 for the rapid isolation of genomic DNA for amplification. This kit was investigated as a potential addition to new DNA identification strategies for mass disaster victim identification. Our preliminary studies using blood swabs, chewing gum, human tissue, and hair indicate that the Xtra Amp® system exhibits great potential for use in mass disaster identification. Optimization experiments included testing the compatibility of AmpliTaq Gold® DNA polymerase with the Xtra Bind® chemistry, increasing the magnesium concentration of the PCR cocktail, comparing different concentrations of Amp Enhance (a kit reagent that is added to the PCR cocktail to prevent inhibitors from interfering with PCR), decreasing the PCR volume, and comparing different cycles of amplification. Further experiments involved testing different lysing conditions, adding Proteinase K to the Xtra Amp® protocol, comparing fresh versus frozen tissue and the effect of preserved tissue on the Xtra Amp® system, comparing Xtrana's Lysis Buffer with in-house Stain Extraction Buffer for lysing hair roots, and determining the DNA binding capacity of the Xtra Bind® matrix by making serial dilutions of known DNA standards. Ideally, we were interested in developing a system that would lead to rapid identification in hopes that we could provide closure to relatives of victims in mass disaster situations in a quick and timely fashion. Our preliminary studies using the Xtra Amp® system suggest that this kit satisfies this criterion due to its capability of high throughput robotic extractions of mass disaster samples.