DNAPrint genomics' Trace Genetics Laboratory Completes Analysis of 800-Year-Old DNA Samples From Mink Island for National Park Service

DNAPrint genomics, Inc. (OTC BB: DNAG) today announced that senior scientists from its Trace Genetics laboratory in Richmond, Calif., have completed analysis and reports on 800-year-old American Indian tooth samples from Mink Island, Alaska, for the National Park Service.

"Two of the samples had an identical DNA sequence, which suggests that the individuals could be siblings," said Dr. Ripan Malhi, Senior Research Director of Trace Genetics. "This is a sequence commonly found in many individuals from the Arctic and Subarctic, including the Chukchi, Siberian Inuits, Aleuts and Athapaskan groups."

Dr. Malhi noted that the sequence is also found in individuals of Apache and Nahua ancestry, suggesting that this lineage may have once been widely geographically dispersed throughout North America but is now restricted to the Arctic/Subarctic and Southwest/Mesoamerica, possibly as a result of European contact.

Mink Island is situated between the Aleutian Mountain Range and the Gulf of Alaska and, according to archaeological experts, has been occupied intermittently for the past 7,000 years. Its maritime inhabitants were limited to a narrow coastal corridor along the Gulf of Alaska.

In addition to providing clues about Mink Island's prehistory, the tests conducted by Trace Genetics provide an innovative way for archaeologists to manage the cultural resources found in U.S. National Parks. Retrieving mitochondria DNA (mtDNA) from ancient remains is extremely difficult to accomplish because it is usually degraded, resulting in a high likelihood of contamination due to handling of the bone or tooth during extraction in the laboratory. The Trace Genetics lab is one of a few that has the specialized facilities, experienced mtDNA researchers, and reliable protocols necessary to ensure accurate and reliable results.

The results of the Mink Island mtDNA analysis will be combined with additional anthropological data to help gain insight into the life patterns of these ancient people. Mitochondrial DNA is a useful tool for investigating the genetic identity of human remains because it is part of the mitochondrial genome and is found in high quantities outside of a cell's nucleus. Each cell contains approximately 700 mitochondria resulting in 100-1500 copies of the genome per cell in contrast to nuclear genes that have only two copies per cell. However, if analyzed incorrectly, the high copy number of mtDNA in a cell also make the analysis prone to false results due to contamination.

"It really is quite an accomplishment to be able to extract and analyze DNA from ancient tooth fragments," Dr. Malhi noted. "The Mink Island analysis validates that Trace Genetics has the reliable lab protocols necessary to analyze degraded DNA while retaining certainty of results."

About DNAPrint genomics, Inc.

DNAPrint genomics, Inc. (www.dnaprint.com) is a developer of genomics-based products and services focused on drug development, pharmacogenomic diagnostic tests, forensics technology and consumer genetic tests. DNAPrint's family of products for the law enforcement forensics and consumer markets include DNAWitness(TM) RETINOME(TM) (a predictive test for inferring eye color from a DNA sample), ANCESTRYbyDNA(TM), and EURO-DNA(TM). Recently announced and as a part of the Company's Trace Genetics acquisition, DNAWitness-Y and DNAWitness-Mito are two new tests that can be used as an identification tool when other DNA testing either fails to yield results or the sample might be too deteriorated. The Company's first theranostic product (drug/test combination) is PT-401, a "Super EPO" (erythropoietin) dimer protein drug for treatment of anemia in renal dialysis patients (end stage renal disease). Currently in pre-clinical development, PT-401 will be targeted to patients with a genetic profile indicating their propensity to have the best clinical response

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