Peter M. Vallone

NIST Building 227, Room A246
100 Bureau Drive
Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8312 USA
Phone: 301-975-4872
E-mail: peter.vallone@nist.gov

Peter M. Vallone

 

Education

  • B. S. Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL (1992)
  • Ph. D. Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL (1999)

Current Research

  • Multiplex Assay Development
  • Typing mitochondrial and Y-chromosome SNP markers


Multiplex Assay Development.  The ability to detect multiple genetic markers in a single tube or reaction is of great importance.  It is much easier to run one reaction that detects 20 markers rather than 20 separate reactions.  The advantages of multiplexing an assay are: a reduction in the amount of sample consumed (important for forensic applications), a reduction in the amount of enzyme/reagents consumed (cost reduction), the collection of more information per unit time and a simplification of data analysis.  There are however, challenges in designing a multiplexed assay.  The greater number of components required in a multiplexed assay can result in an increased likelihood of side reactions or failure in detecting certain markers.  We are primarily concerned with multiplexing the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).  In the PCR specific regions of DNA located in a genome are amplified.  The amplification process allows for detection by current instrumental techniques such as capillary electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, and HPLC.  We are developing tools such as primer screening software and multiplex assay condition guidelines in order to design assays with a greater success rate and in a shorter period of time.

Typing mitochondrial and Y-chromosome SNP markers. The most common form of genetic variation in the human genome is the single nucleotide polymorphism or SNP (snip).  A SNP can be defined as insertion, deletion, or sequence variation of a single base.  A SNP is present in approximately every 1000 bases of the human genome. The typing of SNPs throughout the genome can facilitate genetic mapping, disease association studies, and evolutionary studies. Recent analysis of SNPs markers located on the non-combining region of the Y chromosome provides information on tracing human migration patterns and evolution. Primer extension assays to type SNPs located on the Y chromosome as well as in the mitochondrial genome are being designed in order to evaluate their usefulness in forensic applications.


Publications

  • Vallone, P.M. and Butler, J.M. (2004) AutoDimer: a screening tool for primer-dimer and hairpin structures. Biotechniques, 37(2): 226-231.  

  • Vallone, P.M., Just, R.S., Coble, M.D., Butler, J.M., Parsons, T.J. (2004) A multiplex allele-specific primer extension assay for forensically informative SNPs distributed throughout the mitochondrial genome. Int. J. Legal Med., 118: 147-157.

  • Vallone, P.M. and Butler, J.M. (2004) Y-SNP typing of U.S. African American and Caucasian samples using allele-specific hybridization and primer extension. J. Forensic Sci. 49(4): 723-732.

  • Butler, J.M., Schoske, R., Vallone, P.M., Kline, M.C., Redd, A.J., and Hammer, M.F. (2002) A Novel Multiplex for Simultaneous Amplification of 20 Y Chromosome STR Markers Forensic Sci Int. 129: 10-24.

  • Vallone, P.M., Devaney, J.M., Marino, M.A., Butler, J.M. (2002) A strategy for examining complex mixtures of deoxyoligonucleotides using IP-RP HPLC, MALDI-TOF MS, and informatics. Anal. Biochem. 304: 257-265.

  • Benight, A.S., Pancoska P., Owczarzy, R., Vallone, P.M., Nesetril, J., and Riccelli, P.V. (2001) Calculating sequence-dependent melting stability of duplex DNA oligomers and multiplex sequence analysis by graphs. Methods Enzymol 340:165-92.

  • Butler, J.M., Devaney, J.M., Marino, M.A., and Vallone, P.M. (2001) Quality control of PCR primers used in multiplex STR amplification reactions. Forensic Sci Int 119: 87-96.

  • Devaney, J.M., Pettit, E.L., Kaler, S.G., Vallone, P.M., Butler, J.M., and Marino, M.A. (2001) Genotyping of two mutations in the HFE gene using single-base extension and high-performance liquid chromatography.  Anal. Chem. 73: 620-624.

  • Butler, J.M., Ruitberg, C.M., and Vallone, P.M. (2001) Capillary electrophoresis as a tool for optimization of multiplex PCR reactions.  Fresenius J Anal Chem. 369: 200-205.

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