How is DNA Profiling Changing Lives For the Good?
DNA Fingerprinting is a method of studying human DNA. It is also called DNA profiling. A DNA test or DNA profiling test has many applications. What started around three decades ago as a one-time DNA analysis for criminal investigation is now available for the common public for many applications. Steps involved in a DNA Profiling Test A DNA Profiling Test starts with the collection of DNA samples of the involved parties. For this, buccal swabs are used. A buccal swab or cheek swab is made of sterile cotton that is rubbed against the cheek walls to collect the epithelial cells. These cells will be later isolated/extracted from the cell for analysis. Then the long-strand DNA is broken down into smaller fragments called Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) using the restriction enzymes. This makes it easier to study. However, the resultant STRs need to be amplified using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Then capillary electrophoresis separates different sized DNA molecules, and a computer