This study was carried out to search for possible association between some polymorphic systems including ABO, MNSs, Rh, Duffy, Kell, Kidd, haptoglobin (Hp) and red cell acid phosphatase (PHs), and the variables serum cholesterol, triglyceride, urate, haemoglobin and blood pressure, in two separate samples of the Australian white population. Allele frequencies of each of the gene marker systems were comparable to those obtained by other workers for Australian whites. There were significant departures from Hardy-Weinberg proportions for red cell acid phosphatase and MNSs systems in one of the samples, and a possible cause for this is discussed. No associations were found between levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, urate and haemoglobin and most of the gene markers in either of the samples. However, a relationship was demonstrated between systolic blood pressure and two polymorphic systems, MNSs and Hp in both populations, and between diastolic blood pressure and red cell acid phosphatase in one of the samples.

Australia↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Isoelectric focusing studies of transferrin and haptoglobin subtypes in an Australian white population.

This investigation presents the results of Hp and Tf subtyping of sera from 307 Australian whites by means of isoelectric focusing. Five Hp alleles were detected, these being Hp1F = 0.168, Hp1S = 0.235, Hp2FF = 0.003, Hp2FS = 0.561 and Hp2SS = 0.033. In the Tf system six alleles were found, TfC1 = 0.761, TfC2 = 0.176, TfC3 = 0.054, TfC6 = 0.002, TfB = 0.006 and TfD = 0.002. The usefulness of IEF together with modifications was highlighted for differentiating Tf and Hp subtypes; in particular, the absence of Hp2FF and Hp2SS in some earlier studies could be related to the technique used. The implication of the simultaneous presence of B and D transferrin variants in Caucasian populations is discussed.

Alleles↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A new cathodal Gc variant in Australia.

A new cathodal Gc variant and a known rare variant were found in a study of 307 Australian caucasian blood donors, each with a gene frequency of 0.28%. The frequencies of the other alleles were 0.161 (Gc1F), 0.557 (Gc1S) and 0.279 (Gc2), and were comparable with those of two earlier surveys.

Australia↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Exploiting biological materials in forensic science.

One of the important problems in forensic science is the limited availability of biological samples left behind at the scene of the crime. Research in the area of obtaining DNA data from such limited biological samples has resulted in successful court convictions. The ability to carry out DNA fingerprinting from such minute sources relies both on the successful extraction of DNA as well as its subsequent characterisation and analysis. Improved techniques designed to obtain DNA from such samples combined with a small-volume polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and highly informative genetic markers will mean that law enforcement agencies will increasingly be better equipped to deal with violent crime. This review describes some of the sources from which DNA is obtained as well as the techniques used to derive from them valuable genetic information.

DNA Fingerprinting↗