What is a variable number tandem repeat (VNTR)? How is it useful to forensic scientists?
Variable number of tandom repeats are the sequence of nucleotides in genome which occur repeatedly but they show variation in the length of repeat among individuals. They can be 20-100 bp long. The word tandem means that these repeats are together in a cluster and have same orientation. They are a kind of minisatellite DNA.
VNTRs are helpful in linkage analysis. They serve as an important source for the RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism). In forensic analysis, it is used in DNA fingerprinting. 4-6 loci can be analyzed and by southern blotting, VNTR differences could be studied. The length and position of the VNTR could help find correct criminal among suspects.
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