Single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) is a rapid and convenient procedure by which differences in the base composition of short DNA strands may be detected (1 , 2 ). A useful application of this is in the comparison of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) generated products from gene coding sequences of unknown or patient material with a known wild-type standard; where any deviation of the banding pattern produced by the former from that produced by the latter indicates a possible mutation within the sequence of that product.
