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What are the steps involved in Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP)?
Posted June 25, 2024
Answer
- DNA extraction: DNA is extracted from the sample (such as blood or saliva) and purified to remove contaminants.
- DNA fragmentation: The purified DNA is then treated with restriction enzymes and results in the fragmentation of the DNA into smaller pieces. The more frequent the recognition sequence, the greater the number of resulting DNA fragments after digestion.
- Gel Electrophoresis: The fragmented DNA samples are loaded into wells of an agarose gel, which is placed in the electrophoresis chamber. When an electric current is applied, the DNA fragments move through the gel at different rates based on their size and charge. Smaller fragments move faster through the gel, while larger ones move more slowly.
- Visualization of Bands: After electrophoresis, the DNA fragments are visualized by staining the gel with a fluorescent dye or using luminescent markers. This makes the DNA bands visible under UV light or other detection methods.
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