Investigator Argus Y-28 QS Kit (400)

Designed for forensic, human identity, and paternity testing applications, this QIAGEN multiplex PCR kit enables the simultaneous amplification of 27 Y-chromosomal short tandem repeat (STR) loci. The kit features an innovative Quality Sensor with two internal PCR controls (QS1 and QS2) that provide information about PCR efficiency and the presence of inhibitors, indicating whether the amplification worked, whether DNA was present, whether the sample was degraded, and whether inhibitors prevented successful PCR.

The assay is optimized for fast and reliable generation of male DNA profiles from mixtures of male and female DNA without requiring separation of sperm from female cells or differential lysis. Six of the included markers (DYS449, DYS481, DYS570, DYS576, DYS518, and DYS627) are rapidly mutating, supporting the resolution of paternal lineages and discrimination between closely related males. Using QIAGEN's fast-cycling PCR technology, the kit delivers results in around 90 minutes from casework samples, with a fast cycling protocol that takes around 70 minutes for direct amplification from reference samples.

The recommended amount of DNA under standard conditions is 0.5 ng, with internal validations demonstrating robust and balanced results with 0.2–2 ng DNA and reliable results with <0.1 ng DNA. Low amounts of male DNA (100 pg) were successfully detectable in >10,000-fold excess of female background (1 µg), providing optimized resolution of sexual assault mixtures. The PCR is performed at a final reaction volume of 25 µl, with fluorescence labels including 6-FAM, BTG, BTY, BTR2, BTP, and BTO. The kit is validated for use with Applied Biosystems 3500 and 3500xL Genetic Analyzers, with compatible analysis software including Applied Biosystems GeneMapper ID, GeneMapper ID-X, or Genotyper. The kit meets ISO 18385 requirements and is validated based on ENFSI and SWGDAM guidelines for forensic casework, paternity testing, and other human identity testing applications.