Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs): A Technology Review by The Science Advisory Board

While multiple types of DNA sequence variations exist, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are the most frequent form of mutation in many genes. Because of their abundance and stability, SNPs are used in a variety of biologic, genetic, and pharmacologic applications. As SNP technology becomes more widely adopted, the focus has shifted from identifying new SNP markers to characterizing SNPs in sample populations. This change in emphasis has led to the development of novel genotyping strategies aimed to both reduce experimental cost and increase throughput.