DNA-FINGERPRINTING BY HYBRIDIZATION TO OLIGONUCLEOTIDE ARRAYS

Most methods for analysing variation in DNA sequences rely on gel elec trophoresis, a method which is difficult to automate and to quantify. Hybridisation to oligonucleotides bound to a solid surface offers alte rnatives, with the advantage that they can be more readily automated a nd lend themselves to powerful statistical analytical procedures. In t his paper, we discuss a number of different ways in which oligonucleot ide arrays could be used for DNA typing for applications in forensic s cience.