Nucleix Researchers Discover DNA Evidence May Easily Be Falsified

Company Develops New Detection Technology for Preventing Biological Identity
Theft

TEL AVIV, Israel, Aug. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Nucleix, Ltd., an emerging life
science company specializing in forensic DNA analysis, announced that company
researchers have proven DNA evidence found at crime scenes can easily be
falsified using basic equipment, know-how and access to DNA or a DNA database.
Recognizing the need to safeguard the accuracy and credibility of DNA samples
in the field of forensics, Nucleix scientists have developed a novel assay
termed "DNA authentication" for combating this form of "biological identity
theft" by distinguishing between in-vivo (real) and in-vitro (fake) DNA.
These findings and new technology have also been published online in the
forensic industry's leading peer-reviewed scientific journal, Forensic Science
International: Genetics. In a paper entitled, "Authentication of Forensic DNA
Samples" (1)
(http://www.fsigenetics.com/article/S1872-4973(09)00099-4/abstract), Nucleix
scientists demonstrate that while DNA fingerprinting is considered one of the
leading forensic tools in many criminal investigations, DNA evidence can
easily be falsified and planted at crime scenes prior to collection by law
enforcement officers. The company has developed a state-of-the-art and
scientifically-validated technology that can integrate DNA authentication into
standard forensic procedure.

Use of DNA fingerprinting as evidence in criminal proceedings relies on the
assumption that the DNA sample is genuine. However, standard molecular
biology techniques, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), molecular cloning
and more recently available whole genome amplification, enable anyone with
basic equipment and limited know-how to synthesize unlimited amounts of
artificial (in-vitro) DNA with any desired profile. Such fake DNA can easily
be incorporated into genuine human tissues (e.g., blood, saliva) or applied to
surfaces and planted at crime scenes. As reported in the paper, Nucleix's
research demonstrated that current forensic procedures cannot distinguish
between real and fake DNA evidence. Moreover, Nucleix showed that in
vitro-synthesized DNA samples that were profiled by a leading independent
forensic laboratory were indistinguishable from in vivo-generated or real DNA.

According to Nucleix, in vivo-generated DNA contains loci that are completely
and consistently methylated and other loci that are unmethylated, differing
from in vitro-synthesized DNA, which is completely unmethylated. Nucleix's
novel proprietary assay can identify and differentiate between real and all
potential types of fake DNA through methylation analysis of a set of genomic
loci. Results of the company's research demonstrated both the current risk in
sample integrity and the success of Nucleix's new approach to DNA source
verification.

"DNA evidence has become the gold standard in forensic investigations and
criminal justice in the last decade. We are deeply committed to applying our
insights into DNA analysis and sample validation technology to ensure the
highest level of accuracy and credibility for DNA evidence," said Meirav
Chovav, Vice President of Strategic Affairs and Board member. "Based on
preliminary response to our research findings, we are working to make our
proprietary assay available as soon as possible to the forensic science
community."

"We believe that DNA authentication should become an integral part of the
standard forensic procedure in order to assure genuine biological material has
been evaluated," said Elon Ganor, MD, Nucleix Chairman, Chief Executive
Officer and co-founder. "The state-of-the-art DNA authentication technology
that we developed can easily be integrated into the standard protocols
currently performed in forensic laboratories to assure the authenticity of the
DNA sample being genuine and not fabricated. From our research in the
forensic sciences community, we believe that this application of our
technology to prevent 'biological identity theft' may be just the tip of the
iceberg when it comes to the potential for falsification of individual DNA."

About Nucleix
Nucleix, an emerging life science company specializing in forensic DNA
analysis, has developed a "DNA authentication" assay for forensic casework
samples with potential applications across multiple DNA analysis and
validation fields. DNA fingerprinting has been established as one of the most
important forensic tools in criminal investigations. Nucleix scientists have
demonstrated the viability of creating artificial DNA and "biological identify
theft."(1) Using basic equipment and know-how, DNA with any desired profile
can be fabricated in the lab, and this artificial DNA can then be planted in
crime scenes as fake evidence. Until recently, there has been no way to
distinguish between genetic profiles obtained from falsified DNA samples,
which can appear identical to real biological profiles based on current
analytical protocols and technologies. Nucleix's proprietary assays can
distinguish between "fake" (in-vitro synthesized) DNA, and "real" (in-vivo
generated) DNA. The company is committed to developing state-of-the-art "DNA
authentication" assays that can be integrated into the standard forensic
procedure, in order to maintain the high credibility of DNA evidence in the
courtroom and other uses. For additional information on Nucleix, please visit
the company's website at http://www.nucleix.com.

(1) D. Frumkin, et al., Authentication of forensic DNA samples, Forensic Sci.
Int. Genet. (2009), doi:10.1016/j.fsigen.2009.06.009

SOURCE Nucleix, Ltd.

Meirav Chovav of Nucleix, Ltd., +1-917-783-2191, meirav@nucleix.com; or Karen
L. Bergman, +1-650-575-1509, kbergman@bccpartners.com, or Susan M.
Pietropaoloor, +1-201-923-2049, spietropaolo@bccpartners.com, both of BCC
Partners, for Nucleix, Ltd.