Evaluation of Hybridisation Equipment for Use with Non Isotopically Labelled Probes

Abstract

One of the most critical stages in producing a DNA fingerprint or DNA profile is hybridisation of the membrane-bound DNA samples to a labelled multilocus or single locus (VNTR) probe. Until the early 1990’s the probes used were usually prepared by radioactive labelling of purified plasmid inserts. More recently non-isotopic labelling systems have become available and probes for DNA fingerprinting and DNA profiling can now be purchased labelled and ready to use eg, NICE™ probes (Cellmark). Apart from their obvious safety and environmental advantages, non-isotopic probes allow reduced labour costs and more reproducible, high quality results and have therefore been very widely adopted (Ref. 1).