DNA Fingerprinting Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

DNA Fingerprinting - Research Proposal Example Jeffreys began at the simplest, by detecting single copies of the genes and the phenomena of introns. It was this research that introduced the genuine concepts of restricted fragment length polymorphism or RFLP.(Newton, 2004, np) By this technique it was possible to divide the DNA in to smaller pieces, which in turn led to discovery of SNP or single nucleotide polymorphism. The SNP became a designation for points in DNA that show variation in the nucleotide arrangement, which prevents their cutting. These two discoveries were going to affect the entire future of the genetic technologies. (Newton, 2004, np) The discovery of the DNA printing made it an exclusive fact that humans differ substantially from other life forms, a notion he had pride on for many millennia. Now DNA finger printing is a common house hold concept, as people know that in order to identify someone, a small trace of him or her is required in the form of hair, fingerprint, semen, saliva etc. Jeffreys studied the variations in the human DNA, and focused on those variations that would come up in repeat DNA sequences. This research led him to conclude that no two DNA strands can be the same, and act as genetic "fingerprints" to the person.(Sir Alex Jeffreys, 2007, np) The finding again was augmented by data derived from experiments on seal myoglobin genes, where the phenomena of mini-satellites in human genome was discovered. This was a major breakthrough in the start of the research of genetic fingerprinting. (Sir Alex Jeffreys, 2007, np) Mini or micro satellites are located on the non-coding DNA, and it is this DNA th at accumulates random variations at faster pace than the coding DNA. Many of these non-coding DNA genes are gene regulators, but a significant amount does not contain any information at all. These "junk DNA" are essentially the phenomenon which is known as the micro-satellites. The micro-satellites contain short and repetitive DNA sequences within the sequence. Usually their location is easily predicted, however, this sequence repetition is variable in every individual.(Olson, 2006, np) It is the micro-satellites that are cut when DNA fragmentation results, which lead to various lengths of band formation or RFLPs.The main concept behind this individuality of specie within itself is the arrangement of base pairs in the DNA. This arrangement difference is what differentiates species and animals and plants, as well as persons from each other. Therefore, every DNA sequence is unique. The DNA sequence in one organism will be the same in all of its cells, whether unicellular or multi-cell ular. The number of base pairs is different in every species, along with its configuration, which differentiates the various species from each other. (Antler, 2003, para 1) DNA fingerprinting is now being used in many fields of common life and advanced genetic researches. One of the most interesting areas is the diagnosis of inherited disease within an individual. It is now a known fact that humans inherit many illness genes, which are contributory in progression of the disease. Ethical issues aside, in prenatal and newborn infants, this technology can be used to identify any inherited disorders that they may be carrying, and institute treatment should the need arise. Due to the increased involvement