Laser Microdissection and DNA Typing of Cells From Single Hair Follicles

    December 2004 in “ Forensic Science International ”
    D. Di Martino, Giuseppe Giuffrè, N. Staiti, Angela De Simone, Paolo Todaro, L. Saravo
    TLDR Laser microdissection helps get DNA from single hair follicles for better forensic analysis.
    The study explored the use of laser microdissection to isolate and extract DNA from single hair follicles, specifically targeting the bulb of telogen hairs, which are commonly found at crime scenes but are challenging for DNA extraction due to high keratin content. By using a Leica AS LMD, researchers were able to effectively separate the hair bulb from keratin, allowing for successful DNA typing through short tandem repeat (STR) profiling. This technique improved the ability to obtain genetic profiles from hair samples, enhancing forensic investigations.
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