DNA Fingerprinting

Introduction

DNA Fingerprinting is a chemical test that reveals a person’s or other living thing’s genetic makeup. It is used as evidence in court to identify remains, locate blood relatives, and search for sickness remedies. In genetics, DNA fingerprinting is a technique for isolating and identifying variable elements within the base-pair sequence of DNA. It is also known as DNA typing, profiling, genetic fingerprinting, genotyping, or identity testing.

After noticing that certain sections of highly changeable DNA that do not contribute to the functioning of genes are repeated inside genes, obtaining a sample of DNA-containing cells, such as skin, hair, or blood cells, is the initial step in producing a DNA fingerprint. Next, the DNA is isolated and extracted from the cells.

DNA Fingerprinting

DNA fingerprinting was developed by Alec Jeffreys, a British geneticist. He is a Genetics professor at the University of Leicester and was made an honorary freeman of the City of Leicester on 26 November 1992. He made an extraordinary contribution to genetics in 1994. He invented the technique in 1984 after noticing that certain sequences of highly variable DNA, also known as minisatellites, which do not contribute to gene function are repeated within genes. Jeffreys identified that every person has a different pattern of minisatellites. The only exception is that multiple individuals are from a single zygote, like twins.

Approaches based on the polymerase chain reaction and so-called microsatellites contain shorter repeat units (usually 2 to 4 base pairs in length) than minisatellites and have substituted Jeffreys’ assay.

DNA Profiling

DNA profiling is a procedure of collecting a specific DNA from a person or a sample of bodily tissue. Even though we are all unique, most of our DNA is identical to that of other people. The process to determine an individual’s DNA characteristics is known as DNA profiling or DNA fingerprinting. DNA barcoding refers to DNA analysis used to identify a species rather than an individual. DNA profiling is a technique used in criminal investigations that helps match the profiles of criminal suspects to DNA evidence to determine if they are involved in the crime. It is also used in paternal identification, identifying immigration eligibility, and gene and medical research. DNA profiling has also been used to study animal and plant populations in zoology, botany, and agriculture. 

Importance of DNA Fingerprints 

There are numerous instances in both the public and private realms (legal, governmental) where uniquely identifying persons or familial links is crucial. Here are six reasons why DNA profiling is so important:

DNA Profiling in Recognizing Criminals

DNA profiling can be used in a criminal investigation to uniquely identify the person who is the source of bodily fluids, showing their presence at the crime scene. It is especially crucial in rape cases, which were notoriously difficult to solve before DNA profiling. DNA profiles can be established from skin or hair follicles even when no identifiable body material is left.

DNA Fingerprints in Exoneration and Liberation

This technology has been dubbed revolutionary for its potential to identify perpetrators of serious crimes and exonerate those who are not guilty. 

DNA Profiling in Detecting Traces of Remains in Tragedies

The remains of the victims of floods, plane crashes, fires, and other disasters can be difficult to identify. However, identifying and laying these remains to rest can aid in accepting and healing the families of dead people. DNA analysis is frequently the best or only option for identifying remains.

DNA profiling in Detecting Paternity

Without DNA testing, determining a child’s biological father is not always straightforward. Isn’t that what the television tells us? Nonetheless, this identity verification has far-reaching human ramifications, both emotional and financial, and directly impacts children’s future. In forensic science, DNA profiling techniques identify parental ties where no other method can conclusively. It has become an indispensable instrument in the legal process of identifying custody, parental rights, and parental financial obligations. 

DNA profiling in Identifying Your Ancestors

DNA profiling might provide information about a person’s ties to specific countries or people. In addition, in some circumstances, ancestry might have legal ramifications, such as in the case of some Native American tribes, where membership determines whether or not a person receives financial benefits, special educational chances, or other opportunities unique to that tribe or Native Americans in general.

DNA profiling is a highly sensitive process and a precise method of identifying individuals and retrieving crucial information about their family tree. As a result, it has become one of the essential tools in the legal world, where it is used in criminal investigations, paternity and custody disputes, and immigration proceedings.

DNA fingerprints also have the following medical uses:

• Organ donors’ tissues are matched to those who require transplants
• In identifying diseases that have been passed down via one’s family
• Assisting in searching for remedies for disorders, sometimes known as inherited ailments

DNA Fingerprinting PPT Examination

One needs to submit a sample of cells from their body for testing to receive their DNA fingerprinting PPT.  This could be from a swab inside the mouth, skin, hair roots, saliva, sweat, or other bodily fluids. The most usual method is to use blood. The DNA is extracted from the material using chemicals, which are then dissolved in water.

Another chemical reaction divides the DNA into smaller segments, yielding 5 to 10 base pairs that repeat. Technicians copy those small pieces several times to make the samples longer and easier to study. Workers in the lab mix the DNA fragments in a gel. The tiny strands of DNA are then separated from the larger ones on the gel using an electric current. When the DNA strips are exposed to ultraviolet or laser light, a dye added to the DNA becomes visible.

Conclusion

As we have discussed, DNA fingerprinting is a chemical test that reveals a person’s or any other living thing’s genetic makeup. DNA profiling is a sensitive and precise method of identifying individuals and determining their relationships. DNA fingerprinting ppt is a crucial technique invented for various purposes, whether social or medical.