MicroGEM’s forensicGEM™ Sperm lysis kit uses a novel cocktail of temperature-controlled enzymes to rapidly degrade sperm heads and digest the remaining tissue and nucleases in the sample. Our temperature-controlled DNA extraction process allows for lysis without purification and uses no reducing agents, such as DTT, that inhibit qPCR and STR analysis. As a result, DNA yields are maintained, processing time is quick, and opportunities for contamination are minimized making this the perfect approach for differential extractions and y-screening.

Sperm cells are a difficult type of cell to lyse, often requiring qPCR and STR-inhibiting chemicals such as SDS, mercaptoethanol and DTT, to lyse sperm cells. These chemicals are toxic to downstream processes and must be removed via purification steps. These steps are time-consuming and result in a loss of DNA. It is not possible to work with very small numbers of cells since DNA is lost at every step.  

The forensicGEM™ Sperm kit uses a unique mixture of thermophilic and mesophilic enzymes with no purification steps required. At low temperatures, mesophilic cell wall degrading enzymes rapidly degrade sperm heads. The 75° step then activates a thermophilic proteinase that lyses the cells, kills nucleases and strips the DNA of nucleosomes. A final 95° step deactivates the thermophilic proteinase, producing single-stranded DNA perfect for qPCR and STR amplification.

Quick-Start Guide: forensicGEM™ Sperm (pdf)

Safety Data Sheet: forensicGEM™ Sperm (pdf)

Application Note: forensicGEM™ Sperm Lysis – a competitive comparison (pdf)