Workshop
The Future is Now for MPS mtDNA Analysis
Monday September 24th, 2018 // 8:30 am - 5:00 pm // 101
The forensic community stands poised to transition to massively parallel sequencing (MPS) of mtDNA. Available MPS methods make mtDNA more accessible to forensic laboratories, enable routine analysis of the mtgenome, increase the utility of mtDNA via enhanced sensitivity, and act as a transition step from conventional STR to MPS-based STR/SNP analysis. The purpose of this workshop is to educate the community on the availability of complete systems for MPS analysis of mtDNA; including enrichment approaches, library preparation methods, instrument choices, and analysis software solutions. Materials will be distributed that will provide crime laboratories with the resources necessary to move forward with validation and implementation in their laboratories.
Learning Outcomes:
Attendees will gain a thorough understanding of:
- The role of MPS in forensic mtDNA analysis
- The complete systems currently available for forensic MPS mtDNA analysis
- The paths to validation and implementation of forensic MPS mtDNA analysis
Intended Audience:
Forensic examiners and technical leaders in crime laboratories and private forensic DNA laboratories interested in exploring the possibilities of using MPS mtDNA analysis as a way of expanding their services and segueing into MPS analysis of STR and SNP loci. General knowledge of forensic DNA analysis and DNA sequencing are recommended.
Tentative Agenda:
| 8:30 – 8:40 | Introductions by the Chair and Co-Chair | |
| 8:40 – 9:25 | Crash Course in MPS mtDNA Analysis: Survey of Approaches | Mitchell Holland, Penn State University |
| 9:25 – 10:10 | Validation and Implementation of MPS mtDNA Analysis at the FBI Including Training, Proficiency Testing, and Other Details Relating to Implementation | Michael Brandhagen, FBI Laboratory |
| 10:10 – 10:30 | BREAK | |
| 10:30 – 11:15 | SAM2 – Harmonizing Phylogenetic Alignment of mtDNA Haplotypes in Forensic Genetics and Beyond | Walther Parson, Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck |
| 11:15 – 12:00 | mtGenome Sequencing of NIST Reference Materials and Population Samples | Kevin Kiesler, NIST |
| 12:00 – 1:30 | LUNCH | |
| 1:30 – 2:10 | High Throughput mtDNA Sequencing: Data Analysis and Success Rates at AFDIL | Kim Sturk-Andreaggi, Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory |
| 2:10 – 2:50 | MPS mtGenome Analysis of Challenging Samples in a Missing Persons DNA Program | Daniela Cuenca, California DOJ Laboratory |
| 2:50 – 3:10 | BREAK | |
| 3:10 – 3:50 | Interpretation of mtDNA Heteroplasmy: Assessing Rates, Drift, Differentiation of Maternal Relatives, and More | Mitchell Holland, Penn State University |
| 3:50 – 4:30 | Genetic Privacy when Performing MPS Analysis on the mtGenome: CODIS & Missing Persons Databases | Michael Brandhagen, FBI Laboratory |
| 4:30 – 5:00 | Roundtable Discussion & Resource Distribution |
Speakers
Private: Michael BrandhagenCo-Chair
Forensic DNA Scientist, FBI Laboratory
Michael Brandhagen has worked at the FBI Laboratory since 2004. His first six years there were spent performing DNA casework, but he now works exclusively on forensic DNA research and validation projects
Submit Questions
Private: Mitch HollandCo-Chair
Associate Professor, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Eberly College of Science, Pennsylvania State University
Dr. Holland is a Fellow in the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, and has served as an associate professorial lecturer and adjunct faculty member at various colleges and universities. He has been on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Forensic Sciences and a member of the Advisory Board of the International Journal of Legal Medicine, and has held numerous positions on governmental and company advisory boards and has been recognized by the FBI and others for his work.
Submit Questions
Private: Kevin Kiesler
Research Biologist, Applied Genetics Group, Biomolecular Measurement Division, NIST
In his current position at NIST, Kevin is focused on next generation sequencing research for human identification using a variety of marker types such as mitochondrial DNA, STRs, SNPs, and microhaplotypes on both the Illumina and Ion Torrent platforms.
Submit Questions
Private: Walther Parson
Associate Professor, Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck
Walther Parson holds an associate professorship at the Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria and an adjunct professorship at PennState, PA, USA. Under his scientific supervision the Austrian National DNA Database Laboratory was set up in 1997 in Innsbruck, where he is currently overseeing the High Through-put DNA Database Laboratory and the research group Forensic Genomics.
Submit Questions
Private: Kimberly Sturk-Andreaggi
Research Scientist, Emerging Technologies Section, Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory
Ms. Sturk-Andreaggi has contributed to and managed various projects over her 15+ year tenure at the AFDIL including mitochondrial DNA coding region SNP panels, species identification, low template techniques, automated processing, and the development of population databases. Her current focus is on the use of next-generation, or massively parallel, sequencing for human identification.
Submit Questions