Human and Forensic Genetics Laboratory
Open Lab Positions:
Open positions are available for graduate and undergraduate students. The laboratory provides unique opportunity for students with interests in Molecular Genetics, Forensic Genetics, Evolution, and Biological Anthropology to participate in high-profile research in ancient DNA, forensic DNA, population genetics, genetic demography, and bioinformatics.
For more information please contact Dr. Ovchinnikov.
Student Awards
Current Lab Members
M.S. Graduate Student
Project: Historic avian genetics, specifically working with the Horned Lark ( Eremophila alpestris ).
Undergraduate: Biology and Forensic Science
Honors Project: “Mitochondrial DNA Variation in North Dakota Residents with European Ancestry”
Undergraduate: Biology and French
Project: The mtDNA diversity of human populations from Central Asia
Former Lab Members
Undergraduate: Computer Science
Project: Webmaster and Bioinformatics Assistant. Experience with Integrative Genomics Viewer, and other software used to analyze DNA data.
Project: Evolutionary and population genetics of human populations in central Asia.
Techniques and methods: The isolation of DNA from buccal swabs and FTA cards, PCR of the complete mitochondrial genomes, mitochondrial DNA sequencing.
Achievement: Modified the existing methods of the complete mitochondrial genome sequencing by incorporating a multiplex PCR approach and a 96-well plate format for an integrated workflow from DNA isolation to DNA sequencing.
Sequenced 3,000 PCR fragments in 6 months.
Now: Attending Medical School at the University of North Dakota
Justyna Project: Bioinformatics analysis of the human mitochondrial genomes and the nuclear DNA sequences of mitochondrial origins. (NUMTS)
Design of PCR primers for multiplex PCR and sequencing of the human mitochondrial genome, the identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the human mtDNA sequences, and the comparative bioinformatics analysis of the mtDNA insertions (NUMTS) in the human nuclear genomes that are available in the public domains.
Achievement: Igor Ovchinnikov (presenter), Mathew Malek (undergrad), Justyna Kordzikowska (undergrad), and Kenneth Drees.
Complete mitochondrial genome sequencing of archival saliva specimens from Tajikistan, Central Asia. The 19th World Congress of the International Association of Forensic Sciences and the 9th Triennial Meeting of the World Police Medical Officers, Funchal, Portugal, September 12-17, 2011.
Now: Microbiology tech in Itasca, IL
Project: Genetic analysis of museum bird specimens
Now: in the lab of Dr. Susan Ellis-Felege and UND Wildlife Program