DNA

Fingerprintin
g!
By: Megan Riehle

Overall Process

Video of DNA Fingerprinting

Process

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drC7rR7CIBg

Isolation of the
DNA!

In order for a DNA fingerprint to be made

you must first gather DNA from the person
you are fingerprinting.
There are many things you could use to
gather DNA
Human Cheek Cells
1. Blood
2. Hair
3. Skin
4. Saliva
5. Or any other cell
with DNA in it.

Restriction Enzymes
Used to cut DNA into pieces that are
specific to each individual persons
DNA.
Specific Enzymes cut
the DNA into pieces at
specific
places as well.
For Example
EcoR1 cuts only
when the sequence
GAATTC occurs.

Restriction Enzymes
Continued!
Sticky Ends are made by cutting
the DNA in a staggered manner
and they have a one stranded
DNA sequence that have
complementary nucleotides

Blunt Ends are made by

cutting the DNA directly
down the middle of two
nucleotides

Gel Electrophoresis
Samples of cut DNA are
placed in an agarose gel
Electricity is added to the
gel and the DNA travels
to the positive pole and
they are spread out
according to size.

Transfer to Nylon Screen

Because the gels are so hard to
manipulate the DNA pattern is transferred
to a nylon sheet using the process of
southern blotting
Nylon is added to the agarose gel and
then a piece of paper is added on top
this absorbs the DNA bands onto the
nylon.

Probing and X-Ray

Probes are radioactive particles that
bind themselves to the main
sequence.
Extra probes that are left over are
removed and what is left is only the
DNA chain needed to make the
fingerprint
This can be scanned by an X-ray
machine and it will produce a picture
of the DNA fingerprint

Examples of DNA Fingerprints!

Uses for DNA Fingerprints

Paternity Testing
Determining who committed a crime
Diagnosis of inherited disorders
Developing Cures for inherited
disorders

Ethical Concerns
People worry that the use of DNA will
eventually lead to discrimination using DNA
also known as genoism.
People could be denied health care,
an education, a job etc.

Crime Scene Investigation!!!!

TEST YOUR ABILITY TO

DISCOVER THE CULPRIT
OF THIS TERRIBLE CRIME USING
WHAT YOU HAVE
LEARNED ON
DNA FINGERPRINTING!
http://www.teachersdomain.org/asset/tdc02_int_creatednafp2/