Jay Clemens
Parabon NanoLabs will develop a DNA analysis platform under a two-year contract with the Defense Department in an effort to help DoD analyze forensic data through open architecture.
The company said Wednesday it will build the Keystone platform software plugins that combine analytical tools and methods to examine bioinformatic evidence from forensic science instruments, Parabon said Wednesday.
Keystone will also support third-party plugins for use in specific instruments or analysis projects in addition to the plugins Parabon will develop to support common workflows.
Parabon CEO Steven Armentrout said Keystone will be the first forensics software platform designed to analyze genomic datasets.
The company will also collaborate with the Institute of Advanced Genetics at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, with IAG’s Bruce Budowle having led an effort to create bioinformatics tools for the platform.
DoD’s Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Emerging Capabilities and Prototyping will fund the project as part of the Rapid Innovation Fund, which aims to introduce new technologies into military systems for national security missions.
