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heteroduplex analysis

(HEH-teh-roh-DOO-plex uh-NA-lih-sis)
A laboratory method used to detect sequence differences between normal DNA and the DNA to be tested. Heteroduplex analysis is commonly used to screen for point variants (mutations) in a gene but does not identify the exact location of the variant.
DNA duplexes; drawing shows double-stranded homoduplex DNA with the normal binding of wild-type DNA sequences (labeled A-T and G-C). Drawing shows double-stranded heteroduplex DNA with two unpaired regions (labeled A-C and G-T).Enlarge this image in new window
DNA duplexes. Homoduplex DNA shows the normal binding of wild-type DNA sequences. Heteroduplex DNA shows unpaired regions, which are sites of possible mutations.
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