Detection of Mutations without Sequencing

In addition to the detection of mutations by
different DNA fragments in Southern blots
(p. 62), there are methods based on differences
in the hybridization of mutated and normal segments
of DNA. Incomplete hybridization is
determined by using short segments of singlestranded
DNA (oligonucleotides) with a
sequence complementary to the investigated
region (see A). Other methods are based on
demonstrating incomplete hybridization with
mRNA (see B) or on the fact that a hybridized
segment of normal and mutant DNA is less
stable than normal DNA.