DNAPrint Announces the Release of RETINOME(TM) for the Forensic Market: Eye Color Prediction From Crime Scene DNA!

DNAPrint genomics, Inc. has finished validating an ultra-high throughput version of its proprietary RETINOME(TM) genetic test for predicting human (eye) iris color from DNA. The new test has been added to the Company's proprietary DNAWitness(TM) 2.5 physical profiling package of genome tests sold to forensics and security investigators.

The completion of the RETINOME(TM) project and the addition of the new RETINOME(TM) product to the Company's DNAWitness(TM) package of genome tests constitute a dramatic advance in the newly developing science of molecular forensics profiling, where the goal is to paint a physical profile from crime scene DNA.

RETINOME(TM) provides an accurate inference of iris (eye) color from the measurement of proprietary single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) distributed throughout the human genome. The genetic basis of this trait has vexed geneticists for decades. As detailed in an article published in a recent 'Trends in Genetics' review article, RETINOME(TM) was developed from a genome screen of tens of thousands of genome SNPs in thousands of European subjects. A necessary but not sufficient component of the RETINOME(TM) technology was first published by DNAPrint(TM) scientists last spring in the peer-reviewed journal, "Genetics." Since the discovery of the genetic keys for predicting iris color from DNA 3 years ago, the Company has been augmenting, evaluating and optimizing the performance of its innovative RETINOME(TM) genome test. The most recent blind validation test for 65 individuals of predominant (>80%) European ancestry, between the ages of 10 and 60 years, showed greater than 97% accuracy. A "blind" test is one in which a model is used to classify a trait for samples that were not used to develop the model in any way, and provides an indication of the generality of the model for field application. DNAPrint's computer scientists developed innovative and proprietary software that proved to be the key to unlocking the door to this difficult trait.

"As a presumptive test designed for investigative, rather than human identity applications which suggest culpability, a 97% accuracy rate corresponds to a solid 'A' grade," said Zach Gaskin. "The test is appropriate for samples that have typed with the Company's DNAWitness(TM) 2.5 test to be of predominant European continental ancestry, and was blindly validated strictly for individuals of both sexes between the ages of 10 and 60 years."

The validation and commercial implementation of RETINOME(TM) using this powerful approach is a historic event; RETINOME(TM) becomes the first test developed and validated for the inference of a complex genetics trait from DNA. Prior to the human genome era, complex genetics traits such as disease proclivity, drug response and particularly physical traits such as iris and hair color vexed geneticists for decades. The excitement generated by the completion of the human genome sequence draft in 2001 was based on the hope that common human traits would finally be understood from a genetics perspective. The ultimate expression of genetic understanding is demonstrated by showing an ability to predict or infer a trait from DNA sequences, but so far this hope has remained largely unfulfilled. Prior to RETINOME(TM), no predictive genome-based test had been developed, described in the peer- reviewed literature or, most importantly, launched commercially. DNAPrint's ability to do so stems from its innovative approach for screening the human genome that feeds from the mathematical fuel provided by natural human population structure. "We are very proud to be the first to demonstrate how the promise of the human genome project can be fulfilled in a practical sense," said Tony Frudakis, DNAPrint's Chief Scientific Officer.

"DNAPrint's success with this difficult trait has profound implications for its goal of developing a pipeline of small molecule drugs that target specific human subpopulations," said Richard Gabriel, CEO and President. "More immediately, a grant is available from the National Institutes of Justice and can be found at: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/funding.htm and is specific for 'Solving Cold Cases with DNA.' Now not only can we tell the genetic profile of the crime scene DNA, but we can also describe the eye color if their DNA genetic results fall into the correct category. Each time we do this, we are reducing the "donor pool" of individuals and the number of suspects. Combining our DNAWitness(TM) technology with RETINOME(TM) and standard STR testing, as well as mitochondrial and y-Chromosome testing, this is a powerful combination of information for the investigators. Our photo database system of images, coupled with an eye color prediction, are just the beginning of our forensic products for the investigative community. We intend to aggressively roll out additional services over the next several years to enhance the predictive ability of our Company's products and services from crime scene DNA."

RETINOME(TM) is available today along with DNAWitness(TM) and can be ordered directly from any of the following companies: DNAPrint genomics, Inc. www.dnaprint.com; ReliaGene Technologies, Inc. www.reliagene.com and Lynn Peavey Company www.lynnpeavey.com.


(04.09.2004)

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