A Non-Invasive Buffer Based Alternative to DNA Extraction from Teeth

In forensic and anthropological contexts, DNA extraction from teeth is critical in cases where individuals must be identified from mass disaster sites, crime scenes, or ancient skeletal remains. Traditionally, the standard method adopted by the FBI and forensic laboratories is an invasive one, involving the drilling, crushing, or creating a powder of the tooth to access DNA within the dentin. This approach is impractical, since the tooth is a piece of evidence and can be important for analysis in the future. My study aims to provide a non-destructive alternative. I followed a protocol proposed by Monalisa Heng and Éadaoin Harney, using a guanidine-based buffer to extract DNA without damaging the tooth. Cleaned third molars were placed in the buffer, leeching DNA out of the cementum. This buffer proved successful, extracting DNA suitable for analysis, demonstrating that non-invasive extraction is a feasible alternative to destructive techniques. Additional research should be done in the future, including DNA sequencing to assess the quality and completeness of the genetic material. In addition, sodium or potassium acetate buffers could also be tested for comparative studies of non-invasive DNA extraction

Hello everyone, my name is Fatima Durani. I am a biology major and a forensic science minor. Or rather I have a minor in forensic science I conducted my research under the guidance of Dr. Madden in the biology department. I am a predental student as you can probably tell from my research so let’s get straight into it. My research focus is on a non-invasive buffer-based method of DNA extraction from teeth you’re probably asking Fatima why the heck are you doing research on teeth so some up when it comes to ancient remains or mass disasters where corpses are decay beyond identification, forensic scientist Take the teeth of these corpses extract DNA from these teeth and identify individuals, however All these scenarios have one thing in common can be used as evidence fortunately, the standard protocol to extracting DNA from these teeth is to destroy the truth. Now this visual I included actually is a minimally invasive method where the tooth is drilled and the DNA is extracted that way once it’s placed in the buffer however, in many cases, the entire tooth is destroyed and into a powder. And DNA extracted that way this is impractical when you’re looking as teeth as a source of evidence for future analysis So a solution to this issue is a buffer-based extraction protocol, which is what my research focuses on I used a buffer proposed by Mona, Lisa, Hank and Dr. Harney So this buffer includes guineas HCL which help DNA extract from the tooth while preserving the pH in the integrity of the DNA so as you can see here, I included a visual that shows you that the pulp in the Denton this pink flesh inside the tooth contain most of the DNA in the in invasive protocol which includes crushing the tooth aims to extract DNA from this area however, DNA is also included in the cement in the enamel, which is the outer portion of the tooth The invasive method that I will use that the invasive method that I will use using the buffer plants to extract DNA from this cement in the enamel, especially around the root right here, so the invasive protocol includes powder rising. The tooth placing get a protein is buffer and then quantify it using PCR. The noninvasive method includes emerging in a buffer created right here and then purifying the DNA quantify it using PCR and then and then both results or both DNA extractions from both methods will be analyze and analyze using gel electrophoresis This is just me. I gonna be so loud because teeth can contain diseases so I worked under a hood. This is the invasive method that I used crushing the juice to extract the DNA. This is the buffer and the that was placed in the buffer and this was me just cleaning the truth with. To remove any debris or blood so ask for the results in the conclusions the gel for the noninvasive method actually showed a successful amount of DNA these bands represent DNA at the 450 base pair Portion Well, one well one was the negative control which was just a buffer and two was the positive control which was a swab of my cheek and then the remaining well not including the ladder were the third molars that were placed in the buffer and DNA was extracted that way Invasive method actually was supposed to be a control method that had a positive result however, as you can see deep, something went wrong. There is no bands like the invasive method and there are two but they’re very faint so the likely reasoning behind this was. When I placed the powder in the button the Chex buffer I placed too much tooth powder, which let you contamination. Some future improvements to the study. Include adding DNA sequencing to check for contamination. Using degraded samples to allow my buffer to be implemented in anthropological settings and testing other buffers such as sodium and potassium acetate, which are stronger and more likely to extract more DNA from the acknowledgments. I’d like to know who is my mentor Doctor Who ordered all of materials necessary for this project and Dr. Madden for providing the lab and the resources I needed to conduct my research. As for the work protocol, buffer were inspired by Mona Lisa Hayes study on the development of non-invasive DNA extraction method. Definitely check her study and research out. It’s very interesting. She worked on dog teeth thank you guys so much for listening to my little research. Blurb have a nice day.