FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                  NIST 95-13
June 14, 1995

Contact:  Linda Joy                     NEW DNA QUALITY ASSURANCE
          (301) 975-4403                STANDARD HELPS ENSURE
          joy@micf.nist.gov             ACCURACY OF DNA PROFILING

     A new federal DNA quality assurance standard will help
forensic and medical laboratories ensure that DNA profiles made
by the fastest and most popular profiling method are accurate.

     The new DNA quality assurance standard, known as Standard
Reference Material 2391 -- PCR-based DNA Profiling Standard, was
developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology
and the National Institute of Justice.  It will allow
laboratories to verify the accuracy of DNA analyses using the
polymerase chain reaction method of profiling.

     The polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, method allows
scientists to quickly copy and profile tiny amounts of DNA.
Developed by Cetus Corp. in 1985, PCR is a favored way to analyze
DNA because it gives results in a few hours rather than weeks as
earlier DNA profiling methods require.

     "PCR technology has revolutionized molecular biology.  It is
speeding up medical research, and with the issuance of this new
profiling standard, designed specifically for forensic and
paternity testing, accuracy now can be assessed in each
laboratory performing analyses," says Dennis J. Reeder, leader of
the DNA Technologies Group in the Biotechnology Division of
NIST's Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory.

     Reeder developed the PCR-based DNA profiling SRM with
research biologist Margaret C. Kline and physical science
technician Janette W. Redman.  Jennifer C. Colbert, project
manager, of the NIST Standard Reference Materials Program
coordinated the preparation of SRM 2391.  Funding was provided
from the National Institute of Justice through the NIST Office of
Law Enforcement Standards and the NIST Standard Reference
Materials Program.

     DNA, short for deoxyribonucleic acid, is the long spiral-
shaped molecule that contains the unique set of genes which
determines an individual's physical traits from hair and eye
color to height and foot size.  No two people, other than
identical twins, have the same genetic sequence encoded in their
DNA.

     In addition to its speed, another advantage of the PCR
technique is that it gives accurate results with tiny amounts of
DNA, such as a suspect might leave in saliva on a cigarette butt
or postage stamp.  PCR is analogous to a molecular copying
machine.  It allows laboratories to accurately reproduce DNA from
a single cell thousands of times.  Older methods of DNA profiling
can not reproduce DNA strands and require larger numbers of
cells.  PCR also offers enhanced sensitivity, reduced cost and
makes it possible to profile DNA from degraded forensic samples.

     The PCR method of DNA profiling allows biomedical
researchers to speed up dramatically studies on genetics and
disease.  The technology also is used for identification in both
paternity and criminal cases, such as rape or murder.  PCR-based
DNA profiles are gaining acceptance in courtrooms around the
country, but standards are needed for universal acceptance.

     NIST issued the first DNA Profiling Standard, SRM 2390, in
1992.  This standard was designed for the restriction fragment
length polymorphism, or RFLP, method of DNA profiling, which is
currently the most widely used method of profiling DNA for
criminal or civil cases.

     PCR-based DNA profiling is as accurate and precise as the
RFLP method and has been used successfully in several criminal
trials.  The availability of the new profiling standard should
help PCR methods continue to gain wide acceptance in the legal
community.

     The PCR profiling standard comes with 20 components,
including eight vials of well-characterized human DNA, four vials
of PCR-amplified DNA and two genetic ladders for measuring DNA
fragments from 100 to 1,500 base pairs in length.  The standard
also includes two human cell lines to provide cells from which
DNA can be extracted.  Also included are sets of extracted DNA
from the same cell lines, as well as PCR-amplified DNA from the
same cell lines and other samples.  Two companies, Roche
Molecular Systems, Alameda, Calif., and Life Technologies Inc.,
Gaithersburg, Md., provided the source components.

     Laboratories can perform their own DNA profiles on the
components in the NIST profiling standard.  Results agreeing with
the certified values from NIST indicate that a laboratory is
performing the analysis accurately.  If the laboratory's results
differ, the NIST profiling standard can help identify where
problems are occurring.

     The DNA in SRM 2391 was analyzed at NIST and by 20 federal,
state and commercial laboratories in the United States as well as
three foreign laboratories.  Three rounds of interlaboratory
testing verified the profiles of the DNA in the NIST SRM.  

     NIST's PCR-based DNA Profiling Standard, SRM 2391, is
available for $409 plus shipping from the NIST Standard Reference
Materials Program, 204 Engineering Mechanics Building,
Gaithersburg, Md. 20899-0001, (301) 975-6776, fax: (301) 948-
3730.

     As a non-regulatory agency of the Commerce Department's
Technology Administration, NIST promotes U.S. economic growth by
working with industry to develop and apply technology,
measurements and standards.

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