Method and System for DNA Analysis

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a process for automatically analyzing nucleic acid samples. Specifically, the process comprises the steps of forming electrophoretic data of DNA samples with DNA ladders; comparing these data; transforming the coordinates of the DNA sample's data into DNA length coordinates; and analyzing the DNA sample in length coordinates. This analysis is useful for automating fragment analysis and quality assessment. The automation enables a business model based on usage, since it replaces (ratter than assists) labor. This analysis also provides a mechanism whereby data generated on different instruments can be confidently compared. Genetic applications of this invention include gene discovery, genetic diagnosis, and drug discovery. Forensic applications include identifying people and their relatives, catching perpetrators, analyzing DNA mixtures, and exonerating innocent suspects.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for analyzing a nucleic acid sample comprised of the steps:
 (a) forming labeled DNA sample fragments from a nucleic acid sample;   (b) size separating said sample fragments with size standard fragments, and detecting the fragments to form a sample signal and a size standard signal;   (c) transforming the sample signal into size coordinates using the size standard signal;   (d) analyzing the nucleic acid sample in size coordinates to form data; and   (e) using a computer to apply at least seven different rules to check the data for possible artifacts, where at least one of the rules compares observed measures of the data against expected data behavior.   
     
     
         2 . A method for analyzing a nucleic acid sample comprised of the steps:
 (a) forming labeled DNA sample fragments from a nucleic acid sample;   (b) size separating and detecting said sample fragments to form a sample signal;   (c) forming labeled DNA ladder fragments corresponding to molecular lengths;   (d) size separating and detecting said ladder fragments to form a ladder signal;   (e) transforming the, sample signal into an allelic ladder size coordinate using the ladder signal, where the lengths of the DNA sample fragments are expressed using integer values of base pairs; and   (f) analyzing the nucleic acid sample signal in length coordinates.   
     
     
         3 . A method as described in  claim 2  wherein after the analyzing step (f) there is the additional step of determining a length or amount of a fragment in the nucleic acid sample. 
     
     
         4 . A method as described in  claim 3  wherein after the determining step there is the additional step of identifying an individual by DNA profiling. 
     
     
         5 . A system for analyzing a nucleic acid sample comprising.:
 (a) means for forming labeled DNA sample fragments from a nucleic acid sample;   (b) means for size separating and detecting said sample fragments to form ,a sample signal, said separating and detecting means in communication with the sample fragments;   (c) means for forming labeled DNA ladder, fragments corresponding to molecular lengths;   (d) means for size separating and detecting said ladder fragments to form a ladder signal, said separating and detecting means in communication with the ladder fragments;   (e) means for transforming the sample signal into an allelic ladder size coordinate system length coordinates using the ladder signal, where the lengths of the DNA sample fragments are expressed using integer values of base pairs, said transforming means in communication with the signals; and   (f) means for analyzing the nucleic acid sample signal in length coordinates, said analyzing means in communication with the transforming means.