New graduate job opportunities have been announced at Sunderland DNA testing company Complement Genomics after a ??48,000 grant from regional development agency One North East.
The money will help create three new jobs plus investment in hi-tech equipment, and safeguard the existing five-strong team.
The company is one of only eight in the UK approved by the Government to conduct parentage tests. It also offers forensic testing, toxicology and drug analysis.
A previous grant of ??75,000 has helped develop a new method of recovering DNA samples taken from hairs left at crime scenes.
Chief executive Louise Allcroft said: "We are delighted to have received this investment from One North East, who continue to demonstrate their unwavering support for research intensive companies in the region.
"The addition of these new pieces of equipment to our facilities will allow us not only to increase our competitiveness and bid for larger contracts, but will also improve upon the level of service we already offer our existing clients by giving them access to better technology and an even faster turnaround of results."
