Quantifiler Trio
Definition
Applied Biosystems qPCR kit reporting autosomal total DNA (small + large amplicon targets) and a Y-chromosome target, with a computed Degradation Index from the large/small amplicon ratio.
- Manufacturer
- Applied Biosystems
- Method
- qPCR
- Targets
- Small and large autosomal amplicons, plus Y-chromosome
- Derived metric
- Degradation Index from large/small amplicon ratio
Common questions
How does Quantifiler Trio's Degradation Index inform downstream STR analysis decisions?+
A high Degradation Index, meaning the large amplicon amplifies much less efficiently than the small one, warns the analyst that the sample DNA is fragmented, prompting a shift toward mini-STR or other degraded-sample-friendly typing strategies before full STR profiling is attempted.
Why does Quantifiler Trio include a Y-chromosome target alongside the autosomal targets?+
The Y-target lets analysts detect and roughly quantify the male DNA fraction directly during quantification, which is useful for sexual assault casework where a female-dominant mixture might otherwise mask a small male contribution until later differential extraction or typing steps.
Related terms
- A260/A280 Ratio
- Absorbance ratio at 260 nm and 280 nm used to assess nucleic acid purity. Values of 1.7-1.9 indicate pure DNA; lower values...
- Cq (Cycle Threshold)
- The PCR cycle at which fluorescence crosses a defined threshold; inversely proportional to starting template concentration and used to calculate DNA quantity...
- Degradation Index (DI)
- The ratio of large-amplicon to small-amplicon Cq values in Quantifiler Trio or equivalent kits; a DI above ~3 indicates significant fragmentation of...
- InnoQuant HY
- Human-specific qPCR quantitation kit with internal PCR control, providing autosomal and Y quantitation plus degradation index; widely used in Japanese and East...
- PicoGreen
- SYBR Green I-related fluorescent dye that intercalates specifically into double-stranded DNA, used for sensitive fluorometric quantitation in plate-reader or Qubit formats.
- Plexor HY
- Promega qPCR quantitation kit using isoguanosine/isocytidine quenching chemistry, providing autosomal and Y-chromosome quantitation with degradation index.
- QuantiBlot
- Human-specific slot-blot quantitation kit (Applied Biosystems) using a probe directed at the D17Z1 alpha-satellite repeat on chromosome 17.