jan 1, 2013 - 2013: DNA Worldwide and Eurofins Forensic discover identical twins have differences in their genetic makeup

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In 2013, DNA Worldwide and their laboratory partners Eurofins Forensic were the first in the world to prove that twins have differences in their genetic make-up.

Before this discovery, it was believed that monozygotic twins are 100% genetically identical, and that DNA testing could not be used in criminal or paternity cases involving identical twins, as it was impossible to tell them apart.

However, the team at DNA Worldwide decided to test this theory by combining Forensic DNA profiling and Genomic Sequencing. The scientists applied ultra-deep, next generation sequencing and combined this with bioinformatics, sequencing the DNA from sperm samples of two twins and a blood sample of the child of one twin. The Bioinformatic analysis identified five differences (mutations), called Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) present in the twin who was a father and his child, but not in the twin uncle.

These SNP differences were confirmed by Sanger sequencing, and gave experimental evidence for the hypothesis that rare mutations in the genes will occur early, after or before the human blastocyst has split into two and that these mutations will be carried throughout the lifespan.

These differences and the methods developed by DNA Worldwide laboratory provided a solution to the problems facing complex paternity and forensic cases involving identical twins.

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