The Daily Bulletin Archive

Melissa Boler, a graduate student in the forensic science program, will present a literature seminar, "Messenger RNA Profiling for the Distinction of Several Biological Fluids in Forensic Science," at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, November 15, in Science Building 272. This seminar is open to the public and provides refreshments. The seminar abstract is as follows:

Abstract
When evidences like stains from crime scenes are examined, DNA analysis is typically performed to link an individual to the scene; however, identification of where the cells derived from can be extremely beneficial to investigators, allowing for crime scene reconstruction and sexual assault verification. Conventional methods of body fluid identification have been known to be labor intensive, nonspecific, and presumptive and require large sample amounts. Researchers have been determined to develop new and more convenient techniques to advance in the forensic science community, mRNA (messenger RNA) being one of them. mRNA exhibits a unique expression pattern in specific body tissue and therefore can be used to identify which bodily tissue it originated from. Using various methods including real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), researchers have investigated potential tissue-specific RNA markers. Although this new method of mRNA profiling seems very promising, there are still obstacles researchers have to overcome, including the instability of RNA due to its single stranded structure and cross-reactivity. This talk will discuss previous research done in the field of mRNA profiling and the accomplishments made so far.

This seminar is sponsored by the Auxiliary Services Grant Allocation Committee, the Vice President for Student Affairs Office, and the Faculty-Student Association.