DNA-based methods are increasingly being used to detect low levels of target analytes across a range of sectors, from the detection of GM ingredients and biocontaminants in food, to the detection of environmental pathogens and the diagnosis of infectious disease. The requirements of such analyses often approach or exceed the limits of detection of existing technologies. Initial work has investigated the achievable sensitivity of existing methods, focussing on detection of the food and water borne pathogen E. coli O157:H7, and on non-invasive prenatal diagnosis methods. The initial work has allowed development of good practice guidelines for trace DNA analysis, which will are available from the link on this page.

Current work is assessing methods for handling real-time PCR data and developing a framework for data analysis, for trace level analytes. Approaches for increasing the traceability of low-level quantitative analysis will also be explored.

Further information on both the completed and ongoing projects is available through the following links: