CategoriesArticolePublicații

Searching the undetected mtDNA variants in forensic MPS data

Melchionda F, Stanciu F, Buscemi L, Pesaresi M, Tagliabracci A, Turchi C. Forensic Sci Int Genet. 2020 Nov;49:102399

Abstract:

The efficiency of MPS in forensic mtDNA analysis has been thoroughly proven, although a reliable and well established data evaluation still remains a critical point. Numerous bioinformatics tools have been developed, but most of them require specific operating systems and high costs, while free open-source programs with user-friendly interfaces are few. In this study, 43 full mtGenomes were sequenced using the Ion Personal Genome Machine™ (PGM™) System and analyzed utilizing the plug-in Variant Caller (TVC) of the Ion Torrent Software Suite and the mtDNA-Server (mDS), a free web-based mitochondrial analysis tool for MPS data. The outcomes of these two different analysis tools were compared to variants noted after manual inspection of the aligned reads performed using Integrative Genomics Viewer (IGV). The comparison highlighted the presence of thirty-nine discordant variant calls, which were resolved by Sanger sequencing that confirmed the presence of all variants, except for 7 deletions. The combined adoption of IGV and Sanger type sequencing confirmatory steps, in addition of TVC and mDS analysis, resulted in a more accurate variants assignment with the detection of 32 additional true polymorphisms, which were noted in the final dataset. Regarding the heteroplasmy issue, out of a total of thirty heteroplasmic variants, twenty-eight were detected by the TVC, while the mDS detected twenty-two.

Overall, none of the used bioinformatics tools were the perfect choice and a secondary analysis with an expert’s opinion in complete mtGenome MPS data evaluation is still required in forensic genetic analysis.

Keywords: Mitochondrial, DNAMassive, parallel sequencing, Point heteroplasmy, Variants call, Forensic genetics

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CategoriesArticolePublicații

The mitochondrial DNA makeup of Romanians: A forensic mtDNA control region database and phylogenetic characterization

Turchi C, Stanciu F, Paselli G, Buscemi L, Parson W, Tagliabracci A. Forensic Sci Int Genet. 2016 Sep;24:136-142. doi: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2016.06.013. Epub 2016 Jun 30. PMID: 27414754.

Abstract:

To evaluate the pattern of Romanian population from a mitochondrial perspective and to establish an appropriate mtDNA forensic database, we generated a high-quality mtDNA control region dataset from 407 Romanian subjects belonging to four major historical regions: Moldavia, Transylvania, Wallachia and Dobruja. The entire control region (CR) was analyzed by Sanger-type sequencing assays and the resulting 306 different haplotypes were classified into haplogroups according to the most updated mtDNA phylogeny. The Romanian gene pool is mainly composed of West Eurasian lineages H (31.7%), U (12.8%), J (10.8%), R (10.1%), T (9.1%), N (8.1%), HV (5.4%),K (3.7%), HV0 (4.2%), with exceptions of East Asian haplogroup M (3.4%) and African haplogroup L (0.7%).

The pattern of mtDNA variation observed in this study indicates that the mitochondrial DNA pool is geographically homogeneous across Romania and that the haplogroup composition reveals signals of admixture of populations of different origin. The PCA scatterplot supported this scenario, with Romania located in southeastern Europe area, close to Bulgaria and Hungary, and as a borderland with respect to east Mediterranean and other eastern European countries.

High haplotype diversity (0.993) and nucleotide diversity indices (0.00838 ` 0.00426), together with low random match probability (0.0087) suggest the usefulness of this control region dataset as a forensic database in routine forensic mtDNA analysis and in the investigation of maternal genetic lineages in the Romanian population.

Keywords: Mitochondrial DNA, Forensic database, Haplogroup, Romanians

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CategoriesPosterePublicații

mtGenome resolution of the two most common Romanian haplotypes R0 and X2e1b and evaluation of point heteroplasmy detection by massively parallel sequencing

Turchi C, Stanciu F, Buscemi L, Tagliabracci A, „mtGenome resolution of the two most common Romanian haplotypes R0 and X2e1b and evaluation of point heteroplasmy detection by massively parallel sequencing”, Poster at Haploid Markers 2016 – Update on DNA variation, 10th International Y Chromosome workshop • 7th International EMPOP meeting. Berlin, May 20-21, 2016.

Abstract:

In the last years has been largely demonstrated that massively parallel sequencing technologies (MPS) offers new possibilities for forensic genetics, both for the more information that may be obtained in a single experiment from unique samples by analyzing combinations of markers, both for the analytical cost-effectiveness. In particular, the full mitochondrial genome (mtGenome) sequencing using MPS has largely applied in the forensic context, as the throughput and sensitivity of the technology resulting in far more efficient data production than can be achieved via Sanger sequencing. Massively parallel sequencing of entire mtGenome increases the power of discrimination, allows more comprehensive heteroplasmy detection, as well as high phylogenetic resolution, with respect to sequence information recovered from the solely control region (CR). Considering this limited range, some samples share identical haplotypes, especially the most frequent mtDNA CR types that are typical of different populations. In an original dataset of 407 Romanian sequences (Turchi C. et al, in press), collected from the general population belonging to four major historical regions Moldavia, Transylvania, Wallachia and Dobruja, we observed 277 (68%) distinct haplotypes of which 220 (79%) were unique. The most common haplotype 16519C, 263G, 315.1C, (haplogroup R0) was shared by twenty-five individuals (6%), while the second most common haplotype 16126C, 16189A, 16223T, 16278T, 16519C, 73G, 195C, 263G, 315.1C (haplogroup X2e1b) was shared by ten individuals (4%). In order to investigate the degree of variation inside these two clades, twenty-one samples were submitted to entire mtGenome sequencing using the Personal Genome Machine (PGM). In the same dataset, point heteroplasmic positions were observed at nine different sites (152Y, 185R, 214R, 225R, 235R, 16093Y, 16172Y, 16189Y and 16399R) in fifteen different samples. The ability to identify and utilize the discrimination potential of heteroplasmy will significantly enhance the value of mtDNA analysis in forensic casework, but at present this condition is commonly disregarded mostly due to the poor sensitivity of the Sanger sequencing in detecting low-level heteroplasmy. Several studies have been carried out recently regarding the threshold for heteroplasmy detection by MPS, being generally suggested that this methodology is more sensitive and accurate. To investigate the level of point heteroplasmy and estimate alleles quantification, fifteen samples showing PHP in the control region were submitted to mtGenome sequencing and the sequences obtained through the PGM are compared to those obtained by Sanger sequencing to determine heteroplasmy detection threshold with both technologies.

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CategoriesInterviu

Un mit pe cale să fie spulberat: românii nu au exclusiv gene de daci și romani, așa cum se crede

Suntem un amestec de influențe latino-eleno-slave.

România face noi pași spre cunoașterea trecutului său genetic prin proiectul mtDNA.350RO. Inițiativa nu a venit de la noi, ci din Italia, dar cel care ține frâiele acestui proiect de mare importanță este Florin Stanciu, un tânăr cercetător genetician de la Institutul Național de Criminalistică care vorbește cu pasiune despre munca sa și despre uimitoarele mistere ascunse în genele noastre, pe cale de a fi dezvăluite grație noilor descoperiri științifice.

Cea mai veche probă de ADNmt de la un hominid are aproximativ 400.000 de ani.

CategoriesInterviu

ADN-ul românilor, la control. Ce secrete din trecut ne arată studiile genetice

Așa se numește ediția emisiunii DIN|interior din data de 13.07.2014, la care am fost protagonist. DIN|interior este o emisiune cultural-educativă sub marca Digi24 HD prezentată de Laurențiu Rădulescu, care are loc în fiecare duminică la 22:30.

Îi mulțumesc pe această cale, pentru interesul acordat acestui subiect și profesionalismului de care a dat dovadă pe tot parcursul colectării datelor, creierul din spatele reportajului – Andrei Udișteanu.