News "The technology for DNA profiling and the methods for estimating frequencies and related statistics have progressed to the point where the reliability and validity of properly collected and analyzed DNA data should not be in doubt." Although the report deals primarily with the issues of statistical calculations and population genetics, the committee also recommends actions for improving laboratory performance. The 11-member Committee on DNA Forensic Science committee divided the issues into three major groups: the accuracy of laboratory determinations, the accuracy of calculations based on populationgenetics theory and the available databases, and statistical assessments of similarities in DNA profiles. It recommends that laboratories follow quality standards and make every effort to be accredited for DNA work by such organizations as the American Society of Crime Laboratory DirectorsLaboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLDLAB). It also recommends that laboratories participate in open ctfid blind proficiency testing and that the results be presented in court to help the iury evaluate the validity of DNA evidence Open proficiency testing is already required for accreditation by ASCLD-LAB and the Technical Working Group on DNA Analysis and Methods According to the report, the committee recognized that a possibility of error always exists and recommended that forensic samples be divided if possible, and that the unused portions be retained to permit additional tests by a separate laboratory. Committee Chair James F. Crow, professor emeritus of genetics at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, told Analytical Chemistry, ," Iope that the effects [of the report on forensic laboratories] will be greater care and more attention to detail. Again, I place emphasis on the possibility of a repeat test because nothing is perfect where humans are concerned." Final publication is expected this summer. The report will be available for $40 from the National Academy of Sciences, 2101 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20418.
BUSINESS
PerSeptive Biosystems forms alliance with Myco PerSeptive Biosystems, Inc., has formed an alliance with Myco Pharmaceuticals to 404 A
establish a new company called ChemGenics. The new company combines Myco's expertise in gene technology and drug discovery with PerSeptive's purification and analysis tools and drug discovery technologies. PerSeptive will have rights to own up to 50% of ChemGenics. ChemGenics' first therapeutic alllance, valued at more than $50 million, is with Pfizer for the discovery and commercialization of antifungal drugs. ChemGenics will be led by Barry Berkowitz, president and CEO. Noubar Afeyan, president and CEO of PerSeptive Biosystems, will serve as the chairman of ChemGenics.
Perkin Elmer agrees to purchase Tropix The Perkin-Elmer Corp. (Norwalk, CT) recently signed an agreement to purchase Tropix, Inc. (Bedford, MA), a company involved in the development of chemiluminescent detection technology for the life sciences. Under the agreement, Tropix will become an operating unit of PE's Applied Biosystems division and will continue to be led by its founder, Irena Bronstein. Terms of the agreement, which are subject to the approval of Tropix shareholders were not disclosed.
Caliper merges with ChemCore
NJ, will be presented at special symposia at the ACS fall national meeting in Orlando, FL Stanley R. Crouch, professor of chemistry at Michigan State University, will receive the Award for Excellence in Teaching, cosponsored by the Division of Analytical Chemistry and DuPont. Crouch is best known for his work in spectrochemical and instrumental methods, computer-based instrumentation statistics and chemometrics. Norman J. Dovichi, professor or ofemistry at the University of Alberta (Canada), will receive the Award in Chemical Instrumentation, sponsored by the Dow Chemical Company Foundation. Dovichi's research involves laserbased microchemical analysis, thermooptical absorbance measurements, DNA sequencing with CZE, and single-molecule detection. Gary Horlick, professor of chemistry at the University of Alberta (Canada), will receive the Award in Spectrochemical Analysis, sponsored by Perkin Elmer. Horlick is best known for his work in plasma emission and MS for elemental analysis, photodiode array detectors, FT spectrometry, and inorganic electrospray MS.
Caliper Technologies, a privately held corporation that develops microminiaturized "lab-on-a-chip" systems for biochemical analysis, is merging with ChemCore Corp., a private company founded by Peter Wilding and Larry Kricka of the University of Pennsylvania. Caliper plans to create products for the analytical research and development market by focusing on molecular biology, biochemistry, organic chemistry, and cell biology. Janet G. Osteryoung, director of the themistry division at the National Science Foundation and a PEOPLE professor of chemistry at North Carolina State UniverDAC awards sity, will receive the Award in ElecStanley R. Crouch, Norman J. Dovichi, trochemistry, sponsored by EG&G PrinceGary Horlick, Janet G. Osteryoung, and Jay K. Trautman are this year's winners of ton Applied Research. Osteryoung performs research in pulse voltammetry, mithe ACS Division of Analytical Chemistry awards. All but the Findeis Award, which croelectrodes, the chemistry of natural will be presented at the Eastern Analytical waters, and methods for determining toxic substances. Symposium in November in Somerset,
Analytical Chemistry News & Features, July Ju 1996
