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13. Nanotubes - Mapping Mutations

Nanotubes - Mapping Mutations

 

Once the mutation has been tagged, researchers use a nanotube tip resembling the needle on a record player to trace the physical shape of DNA and pinpoint the mutated regions. The nanotube creates a map showing the shape of the DNA molecule, including the tags identifying important mutations. Since the location of mutations can influence the effects they have on a cell, these techniques will be important in predicting disease.