(a) Expand VNTR and describe its role in DNA fingerprinting.
(b) List any two applications of DNA fingerprinting technique.
a) VNTR stands for Variable Number of Tandem Repeats.
The VNTR belongs to a class of satellite DNA referred to as mini-satellite. A small DNA sequence is arranged tandemly in many copy numbers. The copy number varies from chromosome to chromosome in an individual. The numbers of repeat show a very high degree of polymorphism. As a result, the size of VNTR varies in size from 0.1 to 20 kb. Consequently, after hybridisation with VNTR probe, the autoradiogram gives many bands of differing sizes. These bands give a characteristic pattern for an individual DNA. It differs from individual to individual in a population except in the case of monozygotic (identical) twins.
b) Applications of DNA fingerprinting-