QA of DNA Labs

When dealing with DNA, the Quality Assurance (QA) of a DNA lab is a serious matter. A DNA lab may exist within a research facility, hospital lab or specialist institute. How much attention is paid to maintaining a high quality standard and how can we be sure that such an important establishment is doing its best to maintain such standards and not slack? Are there instances where the DNA lab slacks in its QA program? How do we know? How do we audit DNA labs?

What are the likely things that can go wrong in the DNA lab?

DNA is a heat-labile material. Once isolated, DNA must be kept cool or stored frozen. What can go wrong at this stage? Electricity or power outage whereby the temperature increases beyond storage temperature, hotter than -70C, -80C or -86C. Most DNA deep freezers have alarm systems which go off if the temperature falls even a few degrees, to alert lab technicians to the potential hazard.

Contamination of DNA samples. How sure are DNA researchers that the DNA under study is not contaminated with blood, fecal matter or other?  How can we be very certain that the DNA being handled is not contaminated?

DNA sample confusion. It is possible that DNA samples can be switched or mixed up. How can this happen? Carelessness, lack or good work ethics or inability to grasp the strict requirement of QA for a DNA lab. How can this be detected? An audit of DNA samples received, processed and output. Entering details of the DNA samples into a DNA database makes sense. It is easier to detect if something happened to a DNA sample which can be automatically flagged and to act on problems fast enough before a DNA sample is processed for various tests.

Now that we have covered just a bit about QA of DNA handling in the DNA lab, how then can something go wrong in a first class DNA lab? How are DNA labs rated? Are crime labs rated the same as a DNA research lab?

Ancient DNA
http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/News/2003/Features/WTD004639.htm

Endangered species DNA
endangered-critter-dna

From NY Times
dna-problems-found-in-new-york-city-crime-lab

CLC Main Workbench
http://www.clcbio.com/products/clc-main-workbench/

DNA Tests
https://www.geni.com/dna-tests/all/male
https://www.geni.com/dna-tests/all/female

King Tut's DNA

Since we have settled things which have to do with the Human Genome Project (HGP), now it is time is study King Tut's DNA. What was King Tut's genomic DNA like? Did he have DNA like ours? Did he have the same chromosomes as males today? Did King Tut have the 43 + XY genetic make-up? Did he have the same genes as ours? Did he have genetic markers like we have? How do we know his parents and grandparents? What blood group did King Tut have? Do we have to dig up all the mummies in the pyramids to find out? Do we have to open up all the mummies to find out? What exactly do we have to do to find out what King Tut's genetic makeup was like? Any clues? Is it exciting to learn about the usefulness of DNA applications? What else can we do with DNA?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_zBVrgwkb4&feature=related

Genetic Testing

GENEALOGY

Today, 60 years after DNA structure and function were discovered by Watson and Crick, we have a good tool to use to test who our likely ancestors were. Why did I write 'likely'? That's because we cannot be 100% sure that the genes will point to the correct ancestral lineage.

What is the study of ancestry using our genes as tools called? It is called Genealogy (gene + -ology). Genealogy is the study of inheritance, using chromosomes and the genes that they contain. Thus, they are also referred to as chromosomal studies or genetic studies.

Wikipedia: Genealogy

SOURCES OF DNA

DNA can be obtained from mainly 3 sources - saliva, cheeks (buccal swab) and white blood cells (wbc). Saliva provides high quality and quantity of DNA for genetic testing. DNA is conventionally extracted from wbc using the phenol/chloroform method. The use of the organic solvent, phenol, makes this method a hazardous one. The extracted DNA must be purified before it can be used. Protein must first be removed from genomic DNA. More recent DNA extraction kits (using saliva) are convenient and can be purchased from vendors.

CONCERNS OF GENETIC TESTING

Many researchers, doctors, healthcare staff and patients have concerns about genetic testing. What are some of their concerns? Let's say, you offered to be tested genetically and you got back your genetic test results. What do you do with the results? What choices have you got? Let's say, you are female and you are positive for 2 genes - BRCA1 and BRCA2. Positive for these 2 genes means you have an increased risk for breast and ovarian cancers (which practically have no cure except for surgical excision). What do you do next? You can choose not to reveal your cancer genes or you can be proactive and go to the nearest hospital and have an early examination and repeat testing, to make sure you really have those genes, and then get proper counsel as to how to proceed. There are many healthcare staff to help at the hospitals. Keeping quiet and not doing anything about something as grave as cancer means giving up too early, which is not good in many cases. Most patients survived a cancer because they came to hospital early and got treatment while cancer was just beginning to grow, and not at the late or hopeless end-stage where nothing much can be done. So the decision lies with the patients themselves. It's your choice to be treated.

Views on genetic testing from Stanford University.

MGRC

The Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre (MGRC) does DNA sequencing for research purposes. 

DNA TRAINING COURSES

DNA training course for all levels of enthusiasts are available.

Useful links:

Extraction of DNA from saliva (Oragene)

Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre (MGRC)

Protein removal reagent (ProCipitate)

DNA training course in Middle-East

FICTION & MOVIE

This is an old 2009 best-selling novel and movie - The Time Traveler's Wife.
Summary:
The Time Travelers Wife is based on the best-selling book about a love that transcends time. Clare (Rachel McAdams) has been in love with Henry (Eric Bana) her entire life. She believes they are destined to be together, even though she never knows when they will be separated: Henry is a time traveler—cursed with a rare genetic anomaly that causes him to live his life on a shifting timeline, skipping back and forth through his lifespan with no control. Despite the fact that Henrys travels force them apart with no warning, Clare desperately tries to build a life with her one true love.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USUDlMBR-dQ

DNA Tests
https://www.geni.com/dna-tests/all/male
https://www.geni.com/dna-tests/all/female