COURSE OBJECTIVES:
On completion of this course, the students would be able to
CO 1: Understand the chemistry of nucleic acids and their mechanism of replication, and translation.
CO 2: Explain the enzyme machinery, vectors , technique of cloning and hybridization and its application.
CO 3: Differentiate between various types of repetitive DNA sequences and their application in forensic science.
CO 4: Learn the technique of DNA isolation and purification from different sources.
Outline of genetic manipulations, enzymes in genetic manipulation, basic molecular cloning procedures, isolation of specific nucleic acid sequences –complementary DNA, genomic library construction, preparation of plasmid DNA,subcloning, colony hybridization, Nick translation, Oligonucleotide probes, expression of genes. Nucleic acid hybridization and DNA sequencing.
An overview of molecules involved in the flow of genetic information, double helical structure of DNA, alternate forms of DNA double helix, denaturation and renaturation of DNA, DNA binding proteins, factors affecting DNA stability, types and structure of RNA, RNA-DNA hybrid helices, DNA repair, direct and indirect evidences for DNA and RNA as the genetic material. Chemical nature of DNA and RNA. Replication of DNA in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, genetic code, degeneracy and universality of genetic code, transcription and translation machinery. Nature and structure of the human genome and its diversity. mt-DNA, Y Chromosomes and the people, migration, of modern humans. Concept of gene –Conventional and modern views. Fine structure of gene, split gene, pseudogene,non-coding gene, overlapping genes and multiple gene families.
Concept of sequence variation - VNTRs, STRs, Mini STRs, SNPs. Detection Techniques - RFLP, PCR amplifications, PCR inhibitors, Primer Designing, Amp-FLP, sequence polymorphism, Y-STR, Mitochondrial DNA. Evaluation of results, frequency estimate calculations and interpretation, Allele frequency determination, Match probability – Database, Quality control, Certification andAccreditation. X-STR, Microbial DNA testing, Non-Human DNA testing, PlantDNA testing, STR kits, STR typing – Manual and Capillary electrophoresis(principle and instrumentation), RNA and its application in forensics.
History of DNA profiling applications in disputed paternity cases, child swapping, missing person’s identity, civil immigration, veterinary, wildlife and agriculture cases. legal perspectives – legal standards for admissibility of DNA profiling –procedural & ethical concerns, status of development of DNA profiling in India & abroad. limitations of DNA profiling. Population databases of DNA markers –STRs, Mini STRs, SNPs. New & Future technologies: Analysis of SNP, DNA chip technology- Microarrays Cell-free DNA, Synthetic DNA, Touch DNA, LCN DNA.
Isolation, quantification and quality assessment of DNA from hard and soft issues, Touch and /trace DNA. Collection, preservation and packaging of exhibits for DNA analysis.
Rudin, Norah; “An Introduction to Forensic DNA Analysis”, CRC Leviw Publishers, 2002.
Inman, Keith; “An Introduction to Forensic DNA Analysis”, CRC Press, 1997.
Vij, Krishan; “Basics of DNA and Evidentiary Issues”, Jaypee Brothers, 2004.
Kirby, Lorne; “DNA Fingerprinting”, W H Freeman and Co., 1992.
Nickoloff, Jac A; “DNA Damage and Repair”, Humana Press, 1998.
Easteal, Simon; “DNA Profiling”, Harwood Academic Publishers, 1993.
Epplen, Jorg T.; “DNA Profiling and DNA Fingerprinting”, Birkhauser Verlage, 1999.
Lorne Kirby; “DNA Fingerprinting”, W H Freeman and Co., 1992.
Singh, Yashpal; “DNA Tests in Criminal Investigation Trial & Paternity Disputes”, Alia Law Agency, 2006.
10.J.M. Butler; “Forensic DNA Typing”, Elsevier Academic Press, 2005.
11.Mark A. Farley & James J. Harrington; “Forensic DNA Technology”, CRC Press, 1991