QIAGEN - New and Innovative Forensic Technologies Trust Your Case to QIAGEN! Molecular forensics is one of the most demanding areas of nucleic acid analysis. Unlike other fields, there is a universe of sample types, varying with regard to source, quality, presence of inhibitors, age, and throughput requirements. There are cotton swabs and paper cards, stained seat covers and saliva traces on envelope flaps, shed hair and "touch DNA" swabbed from cans, fresh blood and century old bones. And that's only the human DNA part. Insect or plant evidence gain increasing interest in crime-scene investigation. And RNA forensics is an emerging field, too. At QIAGEN we believe that sample collection and sample processing - preanalytical forensics - are key steps of the analytical process. No level of sophistication in the downstream detection can compensate for compromise in the beginning. All our Resources at your Fingertipps - QIAGEN's Genetic Identity & Forensics Web Portal Application notes, articles, selection guides, links… a wealth of resources for the forensic scientist under: http://www.qiagen.com/forensics From Manual through to Automation - Standardized Processes Data from different labs, locations, or operators need to be compared, and often minimal turnaround times are required in a business that works 24/7. QIAGEN offers a "full menu" of standardized chemistries, for any throughput requirement. This includes the QIAcard FTA line for FTA based reference sample collection, the QIAamp Investigator kit line for manual processing of forensic samples, and various automated platforms. A Complete range of Preanalytical Instrument Platforms QIAGEN launches three innovative instrument platforms in 2008: 1. BioRobot EZ1 Advanced The new EZ1 Advanced takes the market leading BioRobot EZ1 to yet another level of convenience and process safety: New features include an integrated barcode scanner, a sensor door, electronic process documentation and the flexibility to connect multiple units through a central PC in order to process up to 24 samples. The EZ1 Advanced has full liquid handling capability and automates reference and casework samples at the touch of a button. 2. QIAsymphony Launching in the second half of 2008, QIAsymphony brings unparalleled convenience, performance and process safety to forensic medium- to high-throughout processes of 1 to 96 samples per run. Prefilled reagents and a novel reagent drawer and continuous load architecture, plus a suite of technologies to prevent human and instrument error will make QIAsymphony a new standard in Human Genetic Identity. 3. QIAcube The revolutionary new QIAcube offers walkaway automation of established spin column processes, from 2-12 samples per run. Forensic sample extraction is facilitated through the standard setting QIAamp Investigator kit chemistry. QIAcube also automates forensic post-PCR purification utilizing QIAGEN's MinElute PCR Purification Kit. Post-PCR purification greatly enhances sensitivity in casework analysis. The BioRobot Universal System completes QIAGEN's instrument offerings as the flagship platform for high-throughput processing of forensic samples in 96 well fromats. A Novel Ambient Temperature Storage Technology: QIAsafe QIAsafe is a novel, ready-to-go ambient temperature archiving technology for purified DNA. Utilizing a patented technology based on anhydrobiosis, QIAsafe simplifies the archiving of nucleic acids, by stabilizing all types of DNA: A predried "QIAsafe - Matrix" at the bottom of QIAsafe tubes or wells dissolves after addition of DNA solution. As it dries again it forms a protective seal around the DNA. Kept dry at ambient temperatures, the protected DNA can be safely stored for extended time periods. DNA samples can be recovered through simple rehydration. QIAsafe enables: Storage at Room temperature Easy transportation at room temperature Cost savings (no refrigeration cost) The QIAsafe technology is compatible with all downstream applications. Tubes and plates are pre-barcoded to readily fit into sample tracking or LIMS systems. Adressing Constraint DNA with REPLI-g Whole Genome Amplification STR analysis is a demanding process often limited by DNA input. Efficient yields of DNA are required for analysis, and high performance is essential for sensitive detection. In some cases, there may not be enough DNA for conclusive analysis; in others, there might just be enough DNA for a "single shot" STR typing but not for archiving eluate, conducting a third party confirmation, or post-conviction repeat testing. These challenges could be overcome by Whole Genome Amplification. Whole Genome Amplification offers the exciting option to "immortalize" DNA for extended downstream analyis in forensic case investigation. QIAGEN REPLI-g technology provides highly uniform DNA amplification across the entire genome, with minimal sequence bias. Dedicated to mtDNA analysis specifically, REPLI-g Mitochondrial DNA Kit provides specific and uniform whole genome amplification from human mitochondrial DNA in total DNA samples. The simple procedure enriches for mitochondrial DNA with minimal contamination from nuclear DNA, thus avoiding the need for time-consuming isolation of mitochondrial DNA and increasing the sensitivity of downstream assays. Any Type, any Source - Enabling Access to Molecular Forensic Evidence QIAGEN chemistries enable access to DNA and RNA from any type of human, animal, or plant sample (Selection guides for human DNA (crime scene or reference samples), plant & animal DNA, and RNA). QIAGEN kits provide complete inhibitor removal, unmatched sensitivity, and ease of use for a wide range of forensic applications. Trust Your Case to QIAGEN! Visit QIAGEN's Human Identity portal here. QIAGEN Dr. Helge Lubenow Director R&D, Nucleic Acid Preparation Research + 49-(0)2103-29-16191 helge.lubenow@qiagen.com Dr. Thomas Schnibbe Global Marketing Human Identity + 49-(0)2103-29-16358 thomas.schnibbe@qiagen.com BioRobot Universal System QIAsymphony EZ1 Advanced QIAcube QIAsafe