SARASOTA, Fla., Aug. 4, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- DNAPrint genomics, Inc. (OTCBB:DNAG) today announced that it has expanded its DNAWitness(tm) product and service line for the forensic market with the addition of mitochondrial DNA testing of the maternal line and Y-chromosome testing for the paternal line. The new services, DNAWitness-Y and DNAWitness-Mito, became available today.
The DNAWitness(tm) product suite now includes:
DNAWitness 2.5 -- Tests crime scene DNA to assist detectives, forensic scientists and medical examiners in corroborating eyewitness reports and confirming suspect identities. DNAWitness 2.5 provides a BioGeographical Ancestry report that includes a photo database for reference samples of individuals. Reported ancestral origins are Sub-Saharan African, Native American, East Asian and Indo-European.
EuroWitness(tm) 1.0 -- Tests crime scene DNA to determine more specific geographic origins if the test sample ancestry is 50 percent or more Indo-European. EuroWitness 1.0 provides a BioGeographical Ancestry report that includes relative percentages of Northwest European, Southern European, Middle Eastern or South Asian.
Retinome(tm) -- A predictive test for individual eye color from DNA. Retinome predicts eye cooler if the sample is 50 percent or greater European ancestry as to whether eye color is blue, mostly blue, brown or mostly brown. A representative eye photo database is also provided along with relevant photo database pictures of the individual references.
STR-Witness(tm) -- A genetic "matching" used as a bar code to track and report the samples. STR is the same test used for determining an individual's identity from an available DNA sample. Crime labs run this test to screen the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) database for possible matches.
DNAWitness-Y -- A new Y-chromosome test that determines the direct paternal ancestral lineage from the male sex chromosome. DNAWitness-Y can be used as an identification tool in cases where a mixture of male and female samples exists.
DNAWitness-Mito -- A new mitochondrial DNA test that examines ancestral lineages along the maternal line. DNAWitness-Mito can be used as an identification tool when other DNA testing fails to yield results or the DNA sample is too deteriorated.
"We are ready to apply our technology anywhere in the world," said Richard Gabriel, President and Chief Executive Officer of DNAPrint genomics, Inc. "Our recent acquisition of Trace Genetics expanded our portfolio of DNA testing services to include mitochondrial for the direct female line and Y-chromosome for the male-linked genes. These tests provide detectives a broad array of genetic testing tools to help in identifying persons of interest from crime scene DNA samples."
About DNAPrint genomics, Inc.
DNAPrint genomics, Inc. (www.dnaprint.com) is a developer of genomics-based products and services focused on drug development, pharmacogenomic diagnostic tests, forensics technology and consumer genetic tests. The company's first theranostic product (drug/test combination) is PT-401, a "Super EPO" (erythropoietin) dimer protein drug for treatment of anemia in renal dialysis patients (end-stage renal disease). Currently in pre-clinical development, PT-401 will be targeted to patients with a genetic profile indicating their propensity to having the best clinical response. DNAPrint's family of products for the law enforcement forensics and consumer markets include DNAWitness(tm) RETINOME (tm), ANCESTRYbyDNA(tm), EURO-DNA(tm).
Forward-Looking Statements
All statements in this press release that are not historical are forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including, but not limited to, uncertainties relating to technologies, product development, manufacturing, market acceptance, cost and pricing of DNAPrint's products, dependence on collaborations and partners, regulatory approvals, competition, intellectual property of others, and patent protection and litigation. DNAPrint genomics, Inc. expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in DNAPrint's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statements are based.