TrueAllele solves 1963 Winnebago cold case using “inconclusive” DNA

US6750011

Method and system for genotyping

A method of genotyping including the steps of obtaining nucleic acid material. There is the step of amplifying a short tandem repeat polymorphism of the material to produce a signal. There is the step of analyzing the signal using a computing device with a memory. There is the step of producing an allele of the polymorphism.

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Claims: What is claimed is:
  1. A method of genotyping comprising the steps of:
    1. obtaining nucleic acid material;
    2. amplifying a short tandem repeat polymorphism of the material to produce a signal;
    3. analyzing the signal using a linear model represented in a computing device with a memory; and
    4. identifying an allele of the polymorphism.
  2. A method described in claim 1 wherein the analyzing step is conducted without human intervention.
  3. A method as described in claim 1 wherein the analyzing step is performed automatically.
  4. A method as described in claim 1 wherein after the identifying step, there is the step of identifying an individual using the allele of the polymorphism in the individual using the allele of the polymorphism in the individual's nucleic acid material.
  5. A method as described in claim 1 wherein after the identifying step, there is the step of comparing the allele with allele.
  6. A method a described in claim 1 wherein the analyzing step includes a method of least squares.
  7. A method as described in claim 1 wherein the analyzing step includes a maximum likelihood estimate.
  8. A method as described in claim 1 the analyzing step implements the linear model using a matrix equation.
  9. A method as described in claim 8 wherein the matrix equation compares the signal with a genotype.
  10. A method as described in claim 1 wherein the identifying step includes a deconvolution of the data to an allele.
  11. A method as described in claim 1 wherein the nucleic acid material includes DNA from a plurality of individuals.
  12. A method as described in claim 1 wherein after the identifying step there is the step of calibrating PCR stutter.
  13. A method as described in claim 1 wherein after the producing step there is the step of diagnosing a risk of genetic disease in the individual.
  14. A method as described in claim 1 wherein after the identifying step there is the step of comprising a genetic map using the alleles.
  15. A method as described in claim 1 wherein after the identifying step there is the step of mapping a genetic trait using alleles.
  16. A method as described in claim 1 wherein after the identifying step there is the step of positionally cloning a disease gene using the alleles.