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Abstract
Microsatellites are tandem repeats of simple sequence that occur abundantly and at
random throughout most eukaryotic genomes. Since they are usually less than 100 bp
long and are embedded in DNA with unique sequence, they can be amplified in vitro
using the polymerase chain reaction. Microsatellites are easy to clone and characterize
and display considerable polymorphism due to variation in the number of repeat units.
This polymorphism is sufficiently stable to use in genetic analyses. Microsatellites
are therefore ideal markers for constructing high-resolution genetic maps in order
to identify susceptibility loci involved in common genetic diseases.