DNAprint Genomics (DNAG)

[stakddek]

Relia-gene Get's Kudos - March story

++++++++++++++++++++

http://www.2theadvocate.com/stories/evergreen/sk/030904new_dnalab001.shtml

++++++++++++++++++++

DNA lab honored for work in serial-killer case

By JOE GYAN JR.

New Orleans bureau

NEW ORLEANS -- A private Jefferson Parish DNA testing lab that linked alleged south Louisiana serial-killer suspect Derrick Todd Lee to the killing of a West Baton Rouge Parish woman has received an award for "best application of technology."
ReliaGene Technologies Inc. in June linked Lee to the January 2002 slaying of Geralyn Barr DeSoto. ReliaGene analyzed DNA evidence under the fingernails of DeSoto and said the results of its testing linked Lee to the 21-year-old Addis woman's death.

The Louisiana Technology Council and Greater New Orleans Inc., the new name for the New Orleans Regional Chamber of Commerce and MetroVision, presented an "Eward" to Harahan-based ReliaGene last week.

The inaugural awards were created to showcase and recognize companies, organizations and individuals in the New Orleans region that made a positive impact in the technology field in 2003.

ReliaGene is accredited by the American Society of Crime Lab Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board and certified by the National Forensic Science Technology Center, which examines crime labs around the country. The company said its work in the DeSoto case "no doubt contributed heavily" to the company's selection for a technology award.

Dr. Sudhir Sinha, who founded ReliaGene in 1990 and serves as its president and lab director, said the company is "extremely proud of this achievement." ReliaGene was known as GenTest Laboratories Inc. in 1990-97.

"It is a tremendous feeling to be recognized for our hard work and scientific contributions, but it is also encouraging that there is recognition of the importance of technology companies, especially biotech companies, in Louisiana's economic landscape," Sinha said.

"We hope this trend continues and that our success paves the way for other biotech firms to start up or relocate here," added Sinha, an adjunct professor of molecular biology and biochemistry at Tulane University.

ReliaGene has partnered with law enforcement agencies in 33 states and countries around the world on forensic work. The company's scientists specialize in detecting DNA profiles from challenging evidence specimens -- fingernail scrapings, for example -- that contain minute or low-level quantities of human DNA.

ReliaGene used a relatively new DNA test that focuses on the different DNA markers on the Y chromosome to link Lee to DeSoto's murder, Sinha said last year. The Y chromosome is the male chromosome. ReliaGene is a leader in the development of Y-chromosome STR testing, which identifies male-specific DNA, he said. STR stands for short tandem repeat.

Sinha said Y-STR testing can be extremely useful in forensic cases involving sexual assaults with single and multiple assailants, fingernail scrapings from a female victim with a male assailant and male-female bloodstain and saliva mixtures.

ReliaGene employs more than 60 people but projects a staff of more than 100 by the end of 2006. The company also performs private paternity testing worldwide.

++++++++++++++++++++

Stakddek