Researchers at the University of British Columbia are hard at work developing a breakthrough technology that could change the way DNA is analyzed.
Biophysics professor Andre Marziali and his team have been working for five years on a device they hope will make crime scene samples much easier to extract.
"It's cool to see an idea that's gone from something very theoretical to something that's very practical," Grad student Joel Pel said.
The fruit of their labour is the SCODA, or Synchronous Coefficient of Drag Alteration. It's capable of spinning tiny samples of DNA electronically, separating useful information from contaminates.
"Our instrument can take a piece of denim, turn on the electric fields and it pulls DNA on one side and the indigo dye goes off in another direction," Marziali said.
Soil and mud can make DNA extraction difficult - as it did during the investigation of Robert Pickton's farm -- but Marziali says his device is up for the challenge.
"Some of the first samples we will run are Pickton samples that failed in analysis," he said.
And if the team's research pays off, it could also be used to detect diseases in DNA - including HIV and cancer. Their goal is to see a battery powered version in doctors' offices that could give you a diagnosis in minutes.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Lisa Rossington
