CapCell coordinator Dr Athina Vidaki (UM/MUMC+) was recently featured in the science section of Algemeen Dagblad (AD), one of the Netherlands’ major national newspapers. The interview, published online and in print on 16 May 2026, introduces Dutch readers to the realities of forensic DNA analysis, a field often simplified in popular crime fiction.
The article focuses on why biological evidence in sexual violence cases can be difficult to interpret and presents Dr Vidaki’s research on more sensitive and precise forensic DNA techniques. It also places this work within the broader context of responsible forensic innovation, including ethical and privacy considerations linked to advanced DNA analysis.
For CapCell, the feature offers valuable public visibility for the project’s mission: developing single-cell DNA technologies that can help forensic laboratories analyse complex biological traces more accurately.
English summary
The AD interview explains that forensic samples from sexual violence investigations may contain mixed biological material from different individuals, which can make DNA profiling challenging. CapCell addresses this problem by developing methods to examine evidence at the level of individual cells.
Using microfluidics and single-cell DNA analysis, the project aims to separate relevant cells from complex biological mixtures before DNA profiling. This approach could help generate clearer forensic profiles and support more reliable interpretation of biological evidence in investigations.
The article also notes Dr Vidaki’s wider work in forensic epigenetics, including research into DNA-based biological markers, while underlining that the use of advanced DNA technologies must be carefully considered in relation to privacy and legal safeguards.