In: Chemistry
DNA may be synthesized by primer elongation methods such as PCR, and if radioactive atoms are incorporated into the newly made DNA, it may be used as a hybridization probe in methods like Southern blotting. To incorporate radiolabeled nucleotides into newly synthesized DNA, researchers may use 32P-labeled dATP, in which one of the P atom is radioactive32P. Which of the 3 phosphate groups (alpha, beta, or gamma) should be labeled, and why?