IT'S the ultimate personalised gift - a piece of jewellery incorporating the pattern of your DNA. It's as unique as you are, as well as being a work of art in its own right. From delicate Swarowski crystal necklaces and champagne flutes to stained glass panels and hand-woven rugs, DesigNAgifts offers a growing selection of gifts made by North-East crafstmen.

DesigNA is the brainchild of Louise Allcroft and Dr Neil Sullivan. Louise, a graduate in medical genetics from Newcastle University, set up the Sunderland-based biotechnology company Complement Genomics in April 2000 with the aim of offering genetic services to the public. These include tests for genetic conditions and storing samples of genetic material for identification purposes in the event, for example, of an inheritance dispute.

"We wanted to do something positive with genetics and we came up with the idea for DesigNAgifts then but we knew we had to build our reputation first by selling services to the industry, such as the universities and biotech companies," she says.

"We're now using that expertise in a different way. Last year, for example, we started offering paternity tests, which are proving really popular, and now we're making gifts."

The human genome, discovered 50 years ago this month, has now been mapped by scientists and is often described as the Book of Life - a means of understanding our complex genetic make-up. But despite its many potential benefits, there are often negative connotations.

"People often associate it with genetic testing and the possibility of receiving bad news. We wanted to do something positive and there's no clinical information in there. It's completely harmless and completely confidential and we're only allowed to keep the samples for three months. It brings together art and science to create a unique gift."

Gone are the days when a box of chocolates or a bunch of flowers would suffice as a present. People are increasingly looking for unusual gifts - experiences such as driving a racing car or a trip in a hot air balloon - and since DesigNAgifts was launched at the end of last year, they've received orders from as far afield as Texas, Tokyo and New Zealand.

The company posts a kit to the customer that enables them to produce their own DNA sample by taking a swab from the inside of their mouth. They're also required to fill in consent forms to allow a DNA test to be carried out.

Once back at the lab, the team uses sophisticated machinery to break open the cells from the sample and extract the DNA. It is then isolated and the parts of DNA structure that are unique to you (short tandem repeats) are separated and analysed using a high-powered laser to produce a three-coloured barcode, which is used as the design for the gifts. The process is complicated and takes four days.

Louise says: "Everyone's DNA is different so the barcode is different and when we give it to the artists to make the gifts, it is all scaled up so the spaces between the lines are all exactly to scale."

The most basic gift is a framed DNA profile but the company is working with about half a dozen local artists to create a range of beautiful and unusual objects. Each item is painstakingly handmade and is unique even before you take the DNA pattern into consideration.

There are delicate pearl necklaces with different coloured Swarowski crystals representing the DNA barcode, or chunky rock crystal pieces, incorporating different gem stones. These can be chosen according to someone's birthstone, making the gift even more personal. There are also pieces in sterling silver, and Louise and Neil are about to embark on a venture with a group of jewellery makers from Milan who work in gold, platinum and precious stones. They're also investigating the possibility of joining forces with Japanese enamel workers to create pieces in cloisonne.

"The beauty of the jewellery is that there's something to suit everyone's taste," says Louise. "The chunky necklaces probably appeal to younger customers, while your mum or gran would love the pearl ones. We're also trying to increase the range for men, with cufflinks and suit pins, plus designs for rings."

In addition to jewellery, DesigNA offers a range of gifts: champagne flutes, mirrors, stained glass panels and rugs, all featuring a DNA profile and sometimes a stylised helix, as in the rugs and glasswork. There are also works of art, like the pyramid created from 81 pieces of glass and stacked in the shape of a helix. If a customer has a particular object in mind, the chances are their DNA profile can be incorporated into that, too.

"Basically, it's just a design - a series of lines - and we can apply it to anything. That could be clothes, jewellery, anything. We even had one man who wanted a tattoo design. The possibilities are endless," says Louise.

* Prices start at £125 for a framed DNA profile. For more information, visit the website at www.complementgenomics.co.uk