Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction Lab Report

Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction

The development of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) has allowed for both the rapid and efficient amplification and analysis of specific DNA sequences. Generally speaking, PCR is specifically designed and performed to amplify one target sequence using only one set of oligonucleotide primers. However, there are several different experimental approaches that require multiple DNA sequences to be analysed. Using the ordinary PCR method, this requires that multiple PCRs be performed on the same or related DNA templates, which would prove to be very time consuming. This is where a process known as Multiplex PCR comes into play. Multiplex PCR is a widespread molecular biology technique that was designed to allow

It is an X-linked recessive condition and is inherited in an X-linked recessive pattern. It primarily only effects males because they only possess one copy of the X-chromosome from their mother and one Y-chromosome from their father. Whereas females have two X-chromosome copies from their mothers and so if one has a DMD gene mutation, the second one can be used as a back-up. The mutation with this specific disorder causes virtually none of the functional dystrophin protein to be synthesised.

(ii) Becker Muscular Dystrophy

This form of muscular dystrophy is very similar to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy; however it is much slower at progressing. It mainly affects the hips, pelvic area, thighs and shoulders, as well as the heart muscles. In comparison to the mutation that causes Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, the mutation here allows some partially functional dystrophin to be synthesised. The form of dystrophin that is made is a shortened form, which is why the degeneration of muscle occurs at a slower rate.

Multiplex PCR is used as a molecular method to diagnose deletions and duplications in the DMD gene. It allows for many of the exons of the DMD gene to be amplified, with primers for the promoter and each exon. Hence, multiplex PCR gives a diagnosis for either case of muscular