Page "Restriction fragment length polymorphism" Paragraph 10

The technique for RFLP analysis is, however, slow and cumbersome.

It requires a large amount of sample DNA, and the combined process of probe labeling, DNA fragmentation, electrophoresis, blotting, hybridization, washing, and autoradiography could take up to a month to complete.

A limited version of the RFLP method that used oligonucleotide probes was reported in 1985.

Fortunately, the results of the Human Genome Project have largely replaced the need for RFLP mapping, and the identification of many single-nucleotide polymorphisms ( SNPs ) in that project ( as well as the direct identification of many disease genes and mutations ) has replaced the need for RFLP disease linkage analysis ( see SNP genotyping ).

The analysis of VNTR alleles continues, but is now usually performed by polymerase chain reaction ( PCR ) methods.

For example, the standard protocols for DNA fingerprinting involve PCR analysis of panels of more than a dozen VNTRs.