A 27-year-old woman, who is 10-weeks into her second pregnancy, is being tested by a molecular genetics clinic. She and her husband's first child has a transfusion-dependent form of β-thalassemia. The prenatal diagnostic test used to determine if the fetus is affected is based upon the polymerase chain reaction method. Which of the following reagents is needed to carry out this test?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Oligonucleotides complementary to sequences in the β-globin gene are used as primers in PCR to amplify specific DNA regions for analysis.  The PCR is a powerful technique used to amplify DNA millions of fold, by repeated replication of a template, in a short period of time. The process utilizes sets of specific in vitro synthesized oligonucleotides to prime DNA synthesis. The design of the primers is dependent upon the sequences of the DNA that is desired to be analyzed and in this case would need to be complimentary to sequences of the β-globin gene.

A 27-Year-Old Woman, Who Is 10-Weeks into Her Second Pregnancy