What is the purpose of using a radioactive molecule (probe) in diagnosing diseases through PCR?
What is the purpose of using a radioactive molecule (probe) in diagnosing diseases through PCR?
To detect the presence of pathogen
To detect mutated genes
To detect antigens in ELISA
To detect antibodies synthesized against pathogen
Solution
A single stranded DNA or RNA tagged with a radioactive molecule (probe) is used to hybridize to its complementary DNA in a clone of cells, which is then detected using autoradiography. The clone having the mutated gene will not appear on the photographic film, as the probe will not have complementarity with the mutated gene.