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Genetic fingerprinting

Nature Medicine volume 11, pages 1035–1039 (2005)Cite this article

Southern, n.2 Used attrib. (chiefly in Southern blot, blotting: see *BLOT n.1 1 f, *BLOTTING vbl. n. 4) with reference to a technique for the identification of specific nucleotide sequences in DNA, in which fragments separated on a gel are transferred directly to a second medium on which assay by hybridization, etc., may be carried out.

Genetic fingerprinting, the obtaining or comparing of genetic fingerprints for identification; spec. the comparison of DNA in a person's blood with that identified in matter found at the scene of a crime, etc.

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Figure 1: Alec Jeffreys at age eight.
Figure 2: The minisatellite core sequence.
Figure 3: The first DNA fingerprints.
Figure 4: The first application of DNA fingerprinting—an immigration case.
Figure 5: The first application of DNA profiling—the Enderby murder case.
Figure 6: The identification of Josef Mengele by bone STR typing.

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Acknowledgements

I extend a huge thanks to my father and late mother for a great childhood and for enduring endless experimental misery, also to my wife and daughters for constant support and patience. There are too many friends and colleagues who have contributed over the years to name individually, but a special thanks must go to V. Wilson for her key work in the initial phases of developing DNA fingerprinting and to I. Patel for starting the first mass application of DNA testing, in immigration disputes. I am greatly indebted to the late G. Roderick of the Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine whose patience, friendship and expertise proved so valuable during the early phases of commercializing DNA testing, and to all my friends at Cellmark Diagnostics who turned a bit of academic eccentricity into something truly of value. And finally, I extend my gratitude to the Lasker Foundation that has done me such a huge honor.

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  1. Department of Genetics, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK

    Alec J Jeffreys

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Jeffreys, A. Genetic fingerprinting. Nat Med 11, 1035–1039 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/nm1005-1035

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