Alu Polymorphysims as Identity Markers

Using PCR and Gel Electrophoresis

Alu Polymorphisms

• Family of short interspersed elements (SINEs)• 300 nucleotide length DNA segments• Found primarily in the intron (non-coding)

segments of DNA

Alu Polymorphisms

• Found only in primates• Several are found only in humans• Specific human populations have unique

frequencies of the Alu polymorphisms based on when the polymorphism was inserted by reverse transcriptase

PV92

• Alu dimorphic SINE found on chromosome 16• The two allele forms are ( + and - )

PV92

• Population frequencies of PV92 is one method for reconstructing human evolution and migration patterns

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)• Technique used to

amplify DNA• Use primers to select

for segment of DNA• Simulates DNA

replication using heat to denature double helix

Gel Electrophoresis• Technique to visualize DNA segments• Uses electric current to move different

sized pieces