What oligonucleotide primers would be required for performing a PCR on human DNA?

Question

aaronq · Answer

ones complementary to part of the sequence you're looking to amplify

anonymous · Answer

If the goal is DNA typing with gel electrophoresis, can a sequence be picked at random?

aaronq · Answer

hmm no, it has to be specific enough to amplify the sequence you want. If you're using electrophoresis to identify the sequence you can use the Sanger method, where you include dideoxyribonucleotides (ddNTPs) which are labelled (eg. fluorescent dyes) which cut off the sequence and thus you can read out the sequence by the distance which the pieces travelled.

aaronq · Answer

if you pick a sequence at random, it might not bind, or bind too far at the end, and do your starting point won't be where you want it to be

aaronq · Answer

and so your starting**

anonymous · Answer

ah...i'll have to do a bit more reading.  thanks!

aaronq · Answer

no problem! if you have more questions don't hesitate to ask.