PCR-BASED HUMAN-LEUKOCYTE ANTIGEN (HLA) DQ-ALPHA TYPING OF BLOOD STAINED LIGHT AND DARK BLUE DENIM FABRIC

Obtaining typable PCR products from DNA purified from blood stained bl ue denim has been difficult since inhibitors of PCR in blue denim appa rently co-purify with the DNA. Organic and chelex extraction methods w ere tested for their ability to purify typable DNA from either light o r dark blue denim fabric both stained with blood. DNA purified from th e light blue denim using either method was successfully used in obtain ing correct HLA-DQ alpha typing results. The chelex, but not the organ ic, procedure was able to yield typable DNA when the dark blue denim w as the substrate. Therefore, the chelex method may be more effective t han the organic method in preventing compounds that inhibit PCR from c o-purifying with the DNA.