Introducing the MavenQST Quantitative Sex-Typing Kit.  MavenQST is the newest commercially available DNA quantitation kit specifically tailored to the needs of the forensic DNA testing community.  MavenQST provides the same gender information in a single reaction as Quantifiler® Duo or Plexor HY, allowing forensic analysts to simultaneously obtain a quantitative and qualitative assessment of total human DNA and human male DNA in a single amplification. But, MavenQST does more for far less.

More.  MavenQST detects male DNA in two ways simultaneously.  This allows fail-safe male DNA detection that is both Y-chromosomal specific and male DNA levels relative to levels of female genomic DNA.  MavenQST includes amplification of the human Amelogenin locus. Because every forensic DNA analyst is already familiar with the information that Amelogenin can provide about mixtures, MavenQST testing gives the analyst an exact preview of the same Amelogenin results that will be seen in subsequent DNA profiling results.  Amelogenin also allows for the exact quantitation of female-only DNA within any sample.  Additionally, MavenQST can accurately predict degradation in DNA samples by comparing the amount of smaller amplified targets to larger amplified targets within a sample.  With the superior level of sample information it provides, MavenQST enables DNA analysts to maximize the recovery of interpretable STR profiles from forensic evidence.  In sexual assault cases in particular, MavenQST can replace front-end serological screening, by allowing male DNA to be detected in two special ways.  The MavenQST male-DNA screening ability ensures that no male DNA (including touch DNA) is left undetected as it frequently can be with traditional serological screening techniques. 

Less.  MavenQST testing occurs via a single, highly sensitive end-point PCR reaction and the results are generated and read using the same thermal cycler and genetic analyzer (or any means of gel electrophoresis) that forensic laboratories are already using for human DNA profiling.  When quantitation occurs using the same technology as DNA profiling, great efficiencies can be realized.  Purchasing is easier.  Quality assurance and control practices decrease dramatically.  The footprint of a lab can shrink as separate equipment, maintenance, supplies, consumables, and space are no longer necessary for DNA quantitation.  The savings realized by labs no longer needing real-time instrument yearly maintenance can pay for the cost of a year of MavenQST testing.  No new skill-sets are required either, making training, validation, and switchover from real-time to MavenQST extremely fast and easy.  The MavenQST amplification set-up is easy and can be adapted into any manual or robotic platform.  At no cost, we supply any macros needed to size call and quantify MavenQST results gathered by electrophoresis /fluorescent detection platforms.  MavenQST result can be printed out in electropherogram format if desired or processed entirely by expert system.