Hybridisation (molecular biology)

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Hybridization is the process of combining complementary, single-stranded nucleic acids into a single molecule. Nucleotides will bind to their complement under normal conditions, so two perfectly complementary strands will bind to each other readily. Conversely, due to the different geometries of the nucleotides, a single inconsistency between the two strands will prevent them from binding. The process can be reversed by heating the molecule.

Through processes of DNA Hybridzation analysis, the relative differences and similarities between species can be mapped based on a DNA Difference Score.

Molecular techniques such as FISH and Southern blots use hybridization probes to identify RNA or DNA.

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