ALLELE-SPECIFIC MVR-PCR ANALYSIS AT MINISATELLITE D1S8

Minisatellite variant repeat mapping by the polymerase chain reaction (MVR-PCR) provides a digital approach to DNA typing of great potential use both in forensic medicine and, by mapping single alleles, for exp loring allelic variability and mutation processes at minisatellites. T he MVR haplotypes of single alleles can be determined either from phys ically separated alleles or by pedigree analysis of digital diploid co des generated from both alleles simultaneously. We now show that singl e alleles can be rapidly mapped from total genomic DNA using allele-sp ecific PCR primers directed to polymorphic sites in the DNA flanking t he minisatellite. This approach can also be used to dissect mixed DNA samples such as those often encountered in forensic DNA analysis.