Nexxus Scotland

Crucial Genetics

Crucial Genetics are one of the West of Scotland's most exciting success stories. The company specializes in DNA profiling, for purposes including human paternity and forensic testing, genealogy, equine and canine pedigree analysis and GM foodstuff testing.

Founder Dr John Gow spotted the commercial possibilities of DNA research performed at the University of Glasgow in the early 90s and set the wheels in motion for a spinout company to be formed. A state-of-the-art DNA testing machine was obtained, on loan for a year from specialist company Promega, and following a market research study he began carrying out client case work, including paternity testing.

The company gradually grew, and it soon became apparent that additional full-time staff was required in place of university  staff. With the aid of venture capitalist funding they were able to recruit full-time positions, taking Dr Gow's vision of a commercially viable business one step closer to reality.

In March 2004, Crucial Genetics as it is known today was created - and if business since then is anything to go by, the company will continue to grow.

Crucial Genetics' method of DNA testing is the most technologically advanced available today. Known as the Short Tandem Repeat (STR) Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method, the technique is so sensitive it can yield an entire DNA profile from a single cell. And because each individual has a different DNA profile - apart from identical twins - the results are irrefutable.

The company has worked hard at ensuring every stage of their process stands up to the highest level of scrutiny, and in February 2005 they were approved by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service to carry out human genetic profiling - the only private DNA profiling firm in Scotland to have achieved this accolade (UKAS ISO 17025). This led to approval from The Department of Constitutional Affairs for supplying court admissible tests.

Dr Gow says: "This is a business where you simply cannot afford to make mistakes, and having this accreditation illustrates that we are operating at the highest level, both in terms of scientific expertise and capability and also in terms of professional and ethical standards."

To date, Crucial Genetics have been involved in identifying the bodies of people killed in Iraq, other wars and natural disasters, allowing their families to hold burial services. They have also started compiling DNA databases of Scottish clans, which will allow people to obtain a genetic link with their ancestry.

Although applications for the company's skills can vary widely, the technological process in each case is similar. Where possible a mouth swab is taken, which provides the team at Crucial Genetics with cells known as ‘buccal' cells from inside the cheek. The samples are analysed in sterile conditions, and the company uses a separate laboratory for each of the three stages of testing to ensure the samples are not contaminated.

Jacqueline Perry, laboratory manager at Crucial Genetics, says: "The work we're doing could be the deciding factor in a murder trial, or mean that someone confirms the identity of their biological father. Any glitch in the system could be catastrophic for those concerned."

In the first lab, the head of the swab is injected into a tube where the cells burst open on contact with a buffer of a particular pH. The negatively charged DNA then binds to positively charged magnetic beads in the test tube. Proteins are washed off and then the DNA is released from the beads, leaving the lab team with pure DNA.

In the second lab, the DNA is prepared for analysis by being amplified millions of times. Each gene is tagged with a chemical dye and for DNA testing purposes there are 16 genes examined.

Finally in the third laboratory, the DNA fragments are separated by size in a Genetic Analyser where an argon laser excites the attached dye labels, which then fluoresce. The machine's software then collects information about the dyes' fluorescence spectra and converts it into DNA size and quantity, in order to build a profile.

Inherited variations in DNA sequence between individuals are termed polymorphisms, and STRs are a class of these polymorphisms that are used for the analysis. STRs are short sequences of DNA that are repeated numerous times at a specific position on a chromosome. The number of repeats present gives an individual their own version of that gene.

Jacqueline says: "The likelihood of non-related people having the same DNA profile is more than a billion to one. It's extremely sensitive and accurate."

Dr Gow says the links to academia and research facilities in Glasgow and the West of Scotland have been an important part of the company's development. He adds: "It's a hugely exciting time for Crucial Genetics and we're confident that we'll continue to grow as a business."

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