Improved resolution and sensitivity of human DNA fingerprinting by specific-primed labelling of M13 DNA.

A method to label M13 DNA probe by primer extension using a specific oligonucleotide primer is described. The method specifically labels the two 15-bp repeats in M13 DNA which hybridize to target DNA giving rise to DNA fingerprinting patterns. The M13 probe labelled by this method gave superior DNA fingerprinting patterns that that labelled by random primers. As little as 0.25 microgram of target DNA was sufficient for DNA fingerprinting. Non-isotopic labelling by the specific primer also showed improved DNA fingerprinting pattern. The results demonstrate the methodology to improve DNA fingerprinting based on M13 DNA probe.