Forensic DNA Profiling Lab

The Next-Generation DNA Profiling Facility provides state of the art DNA analysis services of both human and nonhuman DNA. Coordinating with various lab facilities at Florida International University, the facility supports cutting-edge research and teaching and also provides services for local crime labs.

We support local law enforcement agencies including the Miami-Dade Police Department, Broward County Sheriff's Office and Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.

A researcher's hands are seen removing a sample vial from a tray.

Stratalinker
MiSeq FGx Sequencer
Eppendorf thermomixer
Eppendorf refrigerated thermomixer
3x Eppendorf 5415D benchtop centrifuges
Eppendorf Vacufuge
Eppendorf 5804 centrifuge + deep well plate rotor
2x Eppendorf 5430 Refrigerated Centrifuges
2x High Speed Digital Microplate shakers
Maxwell 16 automated extraction system

ThermoFisher ABI SeqStudio Genetic Analyzer
2x Hybridization ovens (Illumina Microarrays)
Vacuum dessicator
Thermal plate sealer
Qubit 2.0 Fluorometer
Qubit 4.0 Fluorometer
Quant Studio 3 High Resolution Melt PCR System
ProFlex thermocycler (96-well block)
Eppendorf D30 Biophotometer
OMAX digital microscope
3x laminar flow hoods
PBI barocycler

Services
Our facility offers a variety of services ranging from casework to validations as well as support for research. Pricing for internal clients can be found on the ORED website. Please contact Dr. Christina Burns with questions, scheduling and information on outside vendor pricing.
Facility Research
The research conducted at our facility under the supervision of Dr. DeEtta K. Mills focuses on the development of DNA profiling methods for nonhuman organisms such as soil microbial communities, equines, plants, fungi and others.
Ongoing research projects in our facility include:
- Spatial autocorrelation of soil biota profiles with soil type across Miami-Dade County.
- Study of bacterial growth, on bacteria obtained from soil, in the presence of iron and Oxytetracycline.
- Surveillance of tetracycline-resistance genes (tet genes) within antibiotic-resistant soil bacteria communities found in Miami-Dade county soils and comparison across the different soil types to discover diversity of these genes.
- Investigation of the diversity of Vancomycin Genes in Microbes in Sub-Tropical Soils.
- Comparative analysis of freshwater and marine cyanobacteria to determine the role of iron in community virulence and black band disease in corals.
- Major Histocompatibility Complex genes as genetic markers in the conservation and management of wild equids.
- Hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (HYPP) genetic profiling for domestic and wild equine subjects
- Coat color genotyping determination on wild mustangs
- Canine olfaction for the detection of pathogens such as Raffaelea lauricola in laurel wilt diseased avocado trees