Diagnostic applications of repetitive DNA sequences.

Abstract

Different diagnostic applications are discussed for various categories of repetitive DNA sequences. Since all eukaryotes are characterized by genomic redundancy, these sensitive, rapid, and comparatively simple techniques are revolutionizing many fields in clinical and experimental diagnostics. In addition to individuality testing in humans and animals, for example, eukaryotic infectious agents can be identified and tumors classified with respect to genomic changes. The forensic as well as animal and plant breeding sciences have already adopted the DNA technology involving repetitive sequence tools.