Multilocus sequence typing

Multilocus sequence typing is a molecular technique that scientists use to identify and distinguish between different strains of bacteria by examining specific genes scattered across their genome. Rather than looking at the entire genetic code, researchers focus on about seven or eight carefully chosen genes and compare the slight variations in DNA sequences found in each one, creating a unique genetic fingerprint for each strain. This method is particularly useful for tracking disease outbreaks, understanding how pathogens spread, and studying bacterial evolution over time.