Op woensdag 20 november 2024 verdedigt L. Kulhánková het proefschrift met de titel: ‘Single-Cell Sequencing for Deconvoluting Multi-Person Biological Mixtures: With genetic characterization and individual genetic identification of separated contributors'.
- Promotor
- Co-promotor
- Date
- Wednesday 20 Nov 2024, 13:00 - 14:30
- Type
- PhD defence
- Space
- Professor Andries Querido room
- Building
- Education Center
- Location
- Erasmus MC
Brief summary:
This thesis explores how high-throughput single-cell sequencing can improve forensic DNA analysis, particularly in cases where DNA from multiple individuals is mixed, such as in sexual assault cases. Traditional methods struggle to identify individual contributors in mixed DNA samples, especially when the profiles of contributors overlap. By using new single-cell sequencing techniques, which label DNA or RNA from individual cells, this research aims to separate these mixed samples more accurately and efficiently.
The thesis focuses on two methods: single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and single-cell DNA sequencing (scATAC-seq). Both showed promising results in separating DNA mixtures, identifying genetic characteristics of contributors, and overcoming limitations of current techniques. The thesis also highlights challenges, such as difficulties in separating sperm cells from vaginal cells in mock sexual assault samples, and offers suggestions for improving these methods in the future. Overall, this research represents a step forward in applying advanced sequencing technologies to forensic genetics, potentially leading to more accurate DNA profiling in complex cases.
- More information
The public defence will begin exactly at 13.00 hrs. The doors will be closed once the public defence starts, latecomers can access the hall via the fourth floor. Due to the solemn nature of the ceremony, children under the age of 6 are not allowed during the first part of the ceremony.
