What is the difference between dna fingerprinting and dna profiling

Eric D. Green, M. Featured Content. Moreover, DNA profiling nowadays is a simple and automated process, which is more statistically straightforward. Figure 3: Parentage Testing. Moreover, DNA profiling focuses on using a panel of multi-allelic STR markers, which are structurally analogous to the original minisatellites.

However, STRs are much shorter in comparison to the minisatellites; therefore, it is easier to amplify them with multiplex PCR.

STRs are the repeats of four bases. It is possible to amplify them using sequence-specific primers. Then, gel electrophoresis or capillary electrophoresis separates the resulting fragments. Generally, it is possible to analyze up to 30 STRs in a single capillary electrophoresis injection.

Although this might sound like a small amount, it means that there are around three million base pairs that are different between two people. These differences can be compared and used to help distinguish you from someone else. Minisatellites are short sequences base pairs long of repetitive DNA that show greater variation from one person to the next than other parts of the genome. The first minisatellite was discovered in DNA fingerprinting is a technique that simultaneously detects lots of minisatellites in the genome to produce a pattern unique to an individual.

This is a DNA fingerprint. The probability of having two people with the same DNA fingerprint that are not identical twins is very small. Just like your actual fingerprint, your DNA fingerprint is something you are born with, it is unique to you. How was the first DNA fingerprint produced? This resulted in thousands of pieces of DNA with a variety of different lengths. These pieces of DNA were then separated according to size by a process called gel electrophoresis : The DNA was loaded into wells at one end of a porous gel, which acted a bit like a sieve.

An electric current was applied which pulled the negatively-charged DNA through the gel. The shorter pieces of DNA moved through the gel easiest and therefore fastest. What is DNA technology?

What are the ethical issues of DNA profiling? What is DNA fingerprinting used for? Why is DNA profiling used? Why is DNA profiling important?