Latest Research

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of accurate detection of known and emerging pathogens. However, robust characterization of pathogenic sequences remains an open challenge. To address this need we developed SeqScreen, which accurately characterizes short nucleotide sequences using taxonomic and functional labels and a customized set of curated... MORE

Abstract Forensic genetic investigations typically rely on analysis of DNA for attribution purposes. There are times, however, when the amount and/or the quality of the DNA is limited, and thus little or no information can be obtained regarding the source of the sample. An alternative biochemical target that also contains genetic signatures... MORE

Abstract To identify sequences with a role in microbial pathogenesis, we assessed the adequacy of their annotation by existing controlled vocabularies and sequence databases. Our goal was to regularize descriptions of microbial pathogenesis for improved integration with bioinformatic applications. Here, we review the challenges of annotating sequences for pathogenic activity.... MORE

Abstract Crime laboratories have been faced with large casework backlogs due to lengthy processing times, limited resources and scientists, and rising crime rates. Evidence related to sexual assault crimes, specifically sexual assault kits (SAKs), heavily contribute to the reported backlogs. Although more sensitive, faster chemistries and automated techniques have been... MORE

Abstract We present an efficient protein extraction and in-solution enzymatic digestion protocol optimized for mass spectrometry-based proteomics studies of human skin samples. Human skin cells are a proteinaceous matrix that can enable forensic identification of individuals. We performed a systematic optimization of proteomic sample preparation for a protein-based human forensic identification... MORE

Abstract: Motivation: SNP-based kinship analysis with genome-wide relationship estimation and IBD segment analysis methods produces results that often require further downstream processing and manipulation. A dedicated software package that consistently and intuitively implements this analysis functionality is needed. Results: Here we present the skater R package for SNP-based kinship analysis, testing, and... MORE

Abstract: The detection of trace amounts of explosive materials is critical to the security at mass transit centers (e.g., airports and railway stations). In a typical screening process, a trap is used to probe a surface of interest to collect and transfer particulate residue to a detector for analysis. The collection... MORE

Authors: VP Nagraj, Chris Hulme-Lowe, Stephanie L. Guertin, Stephen D. Turner Abstract: Infectious disease forecasting has been a useful tool for public health planning and messaging during the COVID-19 pandemic. In partnership with the CDC, the organizers of the COVID-19 Forecast Hub have created a mechanism for forecasters from academia, industry, and... MORE

Abstract: Human touch samples represent a significant portion of forensic DNA casework. Yet, the generally low abundance of genetic material combined with the predominantly extracellular nature of DNA in these samples makes DNA-based forensic analysis exceptionally challenging. Human proteins present in these same touch samples offer an abundant and environmentally-robust alternative.... MORE

Dr. Krista Ternus worked with colleagues from Rice University and Texas A&M Health Science Center to author "Synthetic DNA and biosecurity: Nuances of predicting pathogenicity and the impetus for novel computational approaches for screening oligonucleotides." Overview: DNA synthesis technologies are enabling rapid advancements in the field of synthetic biology, which... MORE