摘要：

Rapid, cost-effective methods for high-throughput DNA analysis are needed to process samples currently being gathered for large criminal DNA databases around the world. Within the U.S., several states have sample backlogs of over 50,000 samples with limited funds and manpower to analyze these samples. Cur- rently available slab gel or capillary electrophoresis instruments can handle only a few dozen samples per day. Using time-of-flight mass spectrometry coupled with parallel sample preparation on a robotic worksta- tion, we can process thousands of samples daily with a single mass spectrometer. Analysis times on the order of 10 seconds per sample with improved accuracy for sizing short tandem repeat (STR) alleles compared to electrophoresis methods have been demonstrated.

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