Algorithmic Advances Towards a Fully Automated DNA Genotyping System

Short Tandem Repeats (STR) genotyping is a leading tool in forensic DNA analysis. In STR genotyping, alleles in a sample are identified by measuring their lengths to form a genetic profile. Forming a genetic profile is time-consuming and laborintensive. As the technology matures, increasing demand for improved throughput and efficiency is fueling development of automated forensic DNA analysis systems. This thesis describes two algorithmic advances towards implementing such a system. In particular, the algorithms address motif-matching and pattern recognition issues that arise in processing a genetic profile. The algorithms were initially written in MATLAB and later converted into C++ for incorporation into a prototype, automated system. Thesis Supervisor: Dan Ehrlich Title: Director, BioMEMS Laboratory, Center for Biomedical Engineering