Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction-based Assay for Estimating DNA Yield Extracted from Domestic Cat Specimens

A quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay has been developed for the quantification of genomic DNA extracted from domestic cat samples. The assay, which targets highly repetitive genomic short interspersed nuclear elements (SINE), can be performed rapidly and is highly sensitive, detecting as little as 10 fg of feline genomic DNA. The assaywas linear over a 106 dilution range.Wehave recently developed a short tandem repeat (STR) multiplex panel for forensic analysis of feline specimens. The SINE assay is an integral part of the forensic typing system. The sensitivity of the assaywill enable forensic examiners to determine the likelihood of success of genotyping sample extractswith the STR panel without sacrificing valuable DNA necessary to perform genotyping of samples