Foundations
Explore STR loci across human chromosomes and learn the core concepts behind forensic genetics and bioinformatics workflows.
Explore STR loci in the Genome
Select a chromosome to view its STR loci, then open any marker to see its details.
Core Concepts
Key principles of forensic STR profiling and interpretation.
From GB to ISFG: allele notation correction for LongTR and HipSTR
LongTR and HipSTR report STR alleles using base-pair differences from the reference, not standard forensic allele numbers. This article explains the math behind the discrepancy, shows why allele 11.8 is actually allele 11.3 in forensic databases, and provides the conversion rule for tetranucleotide, trinucleotide, and pentanucleotide loci.
10 min read
From Length to Sequence: CE vs NGS in STR Analysis
CE defines STR alleles by size, while NGS reveals their true sequence. This added resolution improves discrimination and mixture interpretation.
7 min read
Bioinformatics
Sequencing formats, alignment, and the data foundations behind STR analysis workflows.
Understanding Sequencing File Formats: An Introductory Guide
Understanding sequencing data storage formats in bioinformatics
7 min read
FASTQ files
FASTQ files are the foundation of next-generation sequencing analysis. Understanding how to interpret these scores, and when to apply trimming, is essential for ensuring accurate downstream analyses in genomics and bioinformatics.
10 min read
SAM files
SAM files are the cornerstone of sequence alignment analysis. Useful for inspecting mapping quality, errors, and alignment structure, they are typically converted to BAM for efficient storage and processing. Understanding their fields is essential for accurate variant calling, visualization, and downstream genomic workflows.
10 min read