Tandem repeat
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This is a term from genetics, which describes a pattern that helps determine an individual's inherited traits.
Tandem repeats and variable number tandem repeats in DNA are two or more nucleotides in a pattern which are directly adjacent to each other. An example would be:
- ATTCGATTCGATTCG
Tandem repeats can be very useful in determining parentage.
DNA is examined from microsatellite within the chromosomal DNA. Minisatellite is another way of saying special regions of the loci. Polymerase chain reaction (or PCR) is performed on the minisatellite areas. The PCR must be performed on each organism being tested. The amplified material is then run through electrophoresis. By checking the percentage of bands that match, parentage is determined.