| abstract |
The present invention provides methods andnapparatus for sequencing, fingerprinting and mappingnbiological polymers, particularly polynucleotides. Thenmethods make use of a plurality of positionallyndistinct sequence specific recognition reagents, suchnas polynucleotides. The apparatus employs a substratencomprising positionally distinct sequence specificnrecognition reagents, such as polynucleotides, whichnare preferably localized at high densities. Thenmethods and apparatus of the present invention can benused for determining the sequence of polynucleotides,nmapping polynucleotides, and developing polynucleotidenfingerprints. Polynucleotide fingerprints can be usednfor identifying individuals, tissue samples,npathological conditions, genetic diseases, infectiousndiseases, and other applications. Polynucleotidenfingerprints can also be used for classification ofnbiological samples, including taxonomy, and toncharacterize their sources. The invention alsonprovides polynucleotide mapping, fingerprinting, andnsequencing as valuable laboratory research tools fornuse in biological investigations. |