Cluster analysis

Classifies objects so that each object is similar to others in the cluster with respect to some predetermined selection criterion.

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

A common molecule which is usually found to encode genetic information about an organism

Electrophoresis

A method of separating substances, especially proteins, and analyzing molecular structure based on the rate of movement of each component in a colloidal suspension while under the influence of an electric field

Escherichia coli

A bacterium that is a common found in the intestinal tract of warm blooded animals.

Fecal coliform bacteria

Indicators of bacterial contamination of fecal origin used to assess the bacteriological quality of waters.

Fingerprinting profile

The series of bands observed when several areas of DNA are examined at the molecular level.

Genomic

"gene" + "chromosome." A complete set of the genetic material required for a living organism (all the DNA in the full set of chromosomes).

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

A method for enzymatically and exponentially amplifying a selected region of DNA

Repetitive intergenic DNA sequences

PCR-using primers designed from repetitive intergenic DNA sequences are used to generate DNA fingerprints. This rapid and reproducible technique measures both genotypic and phenotypic similarities.

Repetitive element PCR (rep-PCR)

PCR amplification of spacer fragments lying between repeat motifs of the genome by use of two outwardly-directed primers at high stringency

Thermal cycler

A device which performs Polymerase Chain Reactions (PCR) through repetitive temperature changes.