Investigator ESSplex SE QS Kit (100)

QIAGEN offers an advanced multiplex STR solution designed for forensic identification and paternity testing applications. The Investigator ESSplex SE QS Kit amplifies the complete European Standard Set (ESS) of 16 STR markers, including SE33 and Amelogenin, alongside an integrated Quality Sensor (QS) that functions as an internal performance control. The QS feature generates two amplicon peaks (QS1 and QS2) within the same run, providing direct insight into the cause of suboptimal profiles. Users can distinguish between successful PCR amplification, absence of DNA, degraded DNA, failed PCR amplification, and inhibited DNA, allowing informed decisions about whether to repeat a run, dilute a sample to overcome inhibition, or accept that a degraded sample cannot be improved by further PCR.

Built on QIAGEN's Fast Reaction Mix 2.0 chemistry and proven Multiplex PCR Technology, the kit delivers PCR run times of approximately 60 minutes (≤1 hour). The chemistry is described as offering high sensitivity and inhibitor resistance, with reliable results obtained from trace DNA. In a documented demonstration, 500 pg of Control DNA 9948 was amplified successfully in the presence of 500 µM hematin, with the QS fragments confirming a high-quality profile.

Each reaction has a volume of 25 µl and is set up with convenient manual or automated pipetting. The BT5 matrix and five fluorescence labels (6-FAM, BTG, BTY, BTR, BTO) enable analysis on ABI PRISM 3100/3100-Avant, Applied Biosystems 3130/3130xl, and Applied Biosystems 3500 Genetic Analyzers. Minimal allele overlap and an extended ladder simplify downstream interpretation.