Published online by Cambridge University Press: 14 April 2009
We have developed molecular markers that distinguish between several inbred and congenic mouse strains using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of genomic DNA repeat sequences. Mouse genomic DNA, digested with four base recognition site-restriction endonucleases, was amplified by PCR using primers for the following repeat sequences: Bl (Alu homolog), LINE, LLR3, IAP, human Alu and myoglobin. Amplification products analysed by agarose gel electrophoresis and stained with ethidium bromide produced unique DNA fragments, some of which are specific for each of 12 strains tested. This method can be used for molecular analysis of the mouse genome, including genetic monitoring.