What is fragment analysis?

Fragment analysis is a powerful genetic analysis technique that provides sizing, relative quantitation, and genotyping information. It consists of a series of techniques in which DNA fragments are fluorescently labeled, separated by capillary electrophoresis (CE), and sized by comparison to an internal standard. The process uses DNA fragments that are produced by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) using primers designed for a specific DNA of interest.

There are several reasons why fragment analysis is the preferred research tool for genetic analysis. The technique has high sensitivity, high resolution, and a fast turnaround time. It is also cost-effective.

The information obtained by fragment analysis enables a wide array of genetic analysis applications including SNP genotyping, cell line authentication, microsatellite marker analysis, determination of CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing efficiency, and more.