Profiles
DNA Fingerprint profiles are generated
on automatic sequencers or in common
gel electrophoresis chambers: a mixture
of DNA fragments with different lengths
migrate in an electric field through a gel
matrix and are separated by length.
Shorter fragments run faster than longer
ones. The fragments are detected
usually by measuring a fluorescence
signal coupled to the fragments and after
having run a certain distance or time.
Detection
The detection occurs either by a CCD
camera (or other detectors) as a
continuous measurement (trace
measurement) or after the complete run
as a still image by a digital camera.
Figure 1. Image of a DNA fingerprint gel
with a size standard (first lane) and eight
fingerprint profiles. For one sample the
trace profile is shown (blue line).