's Profile

(Ph.D.)

Biochemistry, Forensic Biochemistry, Forensic Chemistry

Dr. Coticone received her Ph.D. in Biochemistry from University of Minnesota and postdoctoral training at University of California, Berkeley. She was a Senior Scientist in the Human Identification division at Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA (Thermo Fisher Inc) and has developed several multiplexes being used by the FBI and crime laboratories. Her research interests include developing new and improved methods in the area of forensic biochemistry and chemistry and in the scholarship of teaching and learning. The major goal of her laboratory is to develop new and improved methods of analyzing DNA and trace evidence in forensics. These studies involve collaborations with federal laboratories including the Department of Justice Crime laboratories as well as private companies.

Education
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Publications
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SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
- Hogan, C., Bailey Van Houten, L and Coticone, S. (2018) Comparison of Quantity and Overall Quality of Trace DNA Evidence Collected from Substrates Found at Crime Scenes. J Forensic identification. 68, (3) 341-347.
- Coticone, S and Lora Bailey Van Houten (2015) DNA, Drugs and detectives: An interdisciplinary special topics course for undergraduate students in forensic science. Journal of College Science Teaching Vol 45, 24-29.
- Garcia, O., Keeney, C and S. Coticone (2015) Detection of coumarin in artificially adulterated Vanilla Bean extracts in a forensic science laboratory. The Chemical Educator Vol 20, 227-228.
- Coticone, S. (2013) Utility of self-made crossword puzzle as an active learning tool in undergraduate education in biochemistry. Journal of College Science Teaching. 42 (4) 33-37.
- Coticone, S., Barna L., Teets, M. (2010) Optimization of a DNA extraction method for nonhuman and human bone. J. Forensic Identification. 60(4) 430-438.
- Coates, C.M., Coticone, S., Barreto, P.D., Cobb A.E., Cody R.B., and Barreto J. (2008) Flammable Solvent Detection Directly from Common Household Materials Yields Differential Results: An Application of Direct Analysis in Real-Time Mass Spectrometry. J.Forensic Identification 58 (6) pp. 624 -631.
- Hill, A., Andrea Van der Veer de Bondt, Reeder, D. and Coticone, S.R. (2007) Stabilizing blood samples using osmolytes in forensic DNA analysis. J.Forensic Identification 57: 530-538.
- Coticone, S.R., Oldroyd, N., Philips, H. and Foxall, P (2004) Development of the AmpFlSTR? SEfiler™ PCR Amplification Kit: A new multiplex containing the highly discriminating ACTBP2 (SE33) locus. Intl. J. Legal Medicine118:224-234.
- Corazon A De Ungria, M., Roby, R., Tabbada, K.A. Coticone, S.R. Music, M. Tan and Hernanez, K.N. (2005) Allele frequencies of 19 STR loci in a Phillipine population generated using AmpFLSTR multiplex and ALF single-probe systems. Forensic Science International, 152:281-284.
- Budowle, B., Collins, P.J., Dimsoski, P., Ganong, C. K., Hennessy, L.K., Leibelt, C., Rao-Coticone, S., Shadravan, F. and Dennis J. Reeder. (2001) Population data on the STR loci D2S1338 and D19S433. Forensic Science Communications. Vol 3(3)1-4.
- Wallin, J.J., Rinkenberger, J. L., Rao, S., Gackstetter, E., Koshland, M.E. and Zwollo, P (1999) B cell-specific activator protein prevents two activator factors from binding to the immunoglobulin J chain promoter until the antigen-driven stages of B cell development. J. Biol. Chem., 274, 15959-15965.
- Rao, S., Karray,S., Gackstetter,E. and Koshland, M.E. (1998) Myocyte Enhancer Factor related B-MEF2 is developmentally expressed in B cells and regulates the immunoglobulin J chain promoter. J.Biol.Chem. 273, 26123-26129.
- Zwollo, P., Rao, S., Wallin, J.J., Gackstetter, E. and Koshland, M.E. (1998) The transcription factor NF-KB/p50 interacts with the blk gene during B cell activation. J.Biol.Chem 273, 18647-18655.
- Sinclair, K., Mirjafari, A., Coticone, S. (2018) A tale of two spices: Differential discrimination between the chemical properties of saffron and turmeric in a forensic chemistry laboratory. The Chemical Educator 23, 142-144.
- Cote, J.,* Hilbert, L.,* and Coticone, S. (2016) Differential detection of six unknown compounds using three analytical techniques in a forensic science laboratory. The Chemical Educator 21, 115-118.
Grants & Awards
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Patents:
- Methods for the reduction of stutter in microsatellite amplification. Coticone, Sulekha R. and Bloch, Will.) Applied Biosystems LLC, Carlsbad CA United States Patent # 8,785,126 Issued July 22, 2014.
- Methods for the reduction of stutter in microsatellite amplification. Coticone, Sulekha R. and Bloch, Will.) Applied Biosystems, Foster City CA. United States Patent # 7,211,385. Issued May 1, 2007
- Methods for the reduction of stutter in microsatellite amplification. Coticone, Sulekha R. and Bloch, Will.) Applied Biosystems, Foster City CA. United States Patent # 6,841,349 Issued January 11, 2005.
- Method of reducing non-specific amplification in PCR. McLaughlin, Ian J., Coticone, Sulekha R. and Bloch, Will, Applied Biosystems, Foster City CA. United States Patent # 6,783,940 Issued August 31, 2004
- Methods for the reduction of stutter in microsatellite amplification. Coticone, Sulekha R. and Bloch, Will.) Applied Biosystems, Foster City CA. United States Patent # 6,780,588. Issued August 24, 2004

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