CapCell was recently featured in WIRED Greece in an article exploring how single-cell DNA technologies could transform forensic genetics. The article highlights the work of Dr Athina Vidaki (UM/MUMC+), CapCell coordinator, and explains how the project aims to address one of forensic science’s major challenges: interpreting complex mixed DNA evidence in sexual assault cases.
By combining microfluidics, single-cell genomics and advanced analysis tools, CapCell aims to help forensic laboratories isolate and analyse individual cells from complex biological traces, supporting clearer DNA profiles and more robust evidence.
The article is in Greek, so for our non-Greek speaking readers we’ve summarised the key points below.
English summary
The article presents CapCell as a European Horizon Europe project aiming to advance forensic genetics through single-cell DNA analysis and microfluidics. Coordinated by Dr Athina Vidaki, Associate Professor at Maastricht University, CapCell seeks to transform complex mixed DNA samples into clearer genetic profiles, particularly in sexual violence cases.
It explains one of the main forensic challenges addressed by CapCell: biological samples from sexual assault investigations often contain large numbers of cells from the victim and only a small number of cells from the perpetrator. This can make DNA profiles difficult to interpret and may limit the evidential value of the sample.
The article highlights how CapCell’s technologies aim to “bring order to chaos” by using microfluidic systems to isolate individual cells from complex biological mixtures. These cells can then be analysed separately through single-cell DNA approaches, helping forensic scientists obtain more precise and reliable DNA profiles.
It also underlines that CapCell is not only focused on laboratory research. The project aims to develop applied, user-friendly tools that can be used by real forensic laboratories and law enforcement authorities, supporting more accurate evidence analysis and, ultimately, better access to justice for victims.
Finally, the article profiles Dr Vidaki’s scientific background and wider work in forensic genetics and epigenetics, including the use of DNA-based markers to support human identification, age prediction and other forensic applications.