DNA fingerprinting

DNA fingerprinting

noun

Definition of DNA FINGERPRINTING

: a technique used especially for identification (as for forensic purposes) by extracting and identifying the base-pair pattern in an individual's DNA —called also DNA typing

— DNA fingerprint noun

First Known Use of DNA FINGERPRINTING

1984

DNA fingerprinting

noun    (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of DNA FINGERPRINTING

: a technique used especially for identification (as for forensic purposes) by extracting and identifying the base-pair pattern of an individual's DNA—called also DNA typing, genetic fingerprinting

DNA fingerprinting

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Method developed by the British geneticist Alec Jeffreys (born 1950) in 1984 for isolating and making images of sequences of DNA. The procedure consists of obtaining a sample of cells containing DNA (e.g., from skin, blood, or hair), extracting the DNA, and purifying it. The DNA is then cut by enzymes, and the resulting fragments of varying lengths undergo procedures that permit them to be analyzed. The pattern of fragments is unique for each individual. DNA fingerprinting is used to help solve crimes and determine paternity; it is also used to locate gene segments that cause genetic diseases, to map the genetic material of humans (see Human Genome Project), to engineer drought-resistant plants (see genetic engineering), and to produce biological drugs from genetically altered cells.