Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Analysis

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis has been used in cases that are challenging due to small or compromised samples, where nuclear DNA is insufficient to generate useful results. Due to the abundance of mtDNA in the cell, it's a go-to tool in the forensic analysis of missing persons and victims of mass disaster.

mtDNA sequencing is applied to samples that do not contain nuclear DNA (nDNA) or have significantly compromised nDNA, such as highly degraded specimens and hair samples. Typical sample types analyzed include hair, bone, teeth, nails, blood, and tissue. The mtDNA sequencing process includes multiple steps: DNA extraction, DNA quantification and normalization, HV1 and HV2 amplification, cycle sequencing, electrophoresis, and analysis. mtDNA sequencing is also used in medical, evolutionary, migration, and genealogical studies.

Our strong commitment to quality and service has made us a natural choice for mtDNA primer synthesis. Due to the volume of mtDNA sequencing samples processed by laboratories each year, it is critical to have a streamlined protocol to:

Reduce the chance for error
Minimize cross-contamination between samples
Save time

TriLink offers reagents that simplify the PCR amplification and cycle sequencing steps of mtDNA analysis. mitoPrimers™ are a validated set of primers for amplification of human mtDNA hypervariable regions 1 and 2 (HV1/HV2).