DNA profiling

[caledonia]

Does DNA profiling measure two sequences , one from each homologous chromosome ?

How is the information used ?

 

thank you

[CharonY]

DNA profiling can refer to a number of analyses. The most common one is based on the presence or (in case of repeats) length of a particular region that can (or cannot) be amplified via PCR. Usually at this point the DNA sequence is not really used anymore, it is generally just required to design primers for the PCR.

Comparisons are then often made by e.g. comparing the presence and number of similar PCR products from different individuals. Other assays can also be termed DNA profiling, though. In the end it is a rather generic term and what is meant is determined by context.