Book excerpt: 1Bimal D. Theophilus and Ralph Rapley provide biological and clinical investigators with a comprehensive collection of new, recent, and updated PCR-based screening methods suitable for detecting the presence of both known and novel mutations. The methods cover point mutations (e.g., ASO-PCR, SSCP, DGGE, chemical cleavage), deletions (multiplex PCR, FISH, blotting), non-sense mutations (PTT), and more. The new and exciting techniques of DNA array analysis, along with such recently developed experimental methods as conformation-sensitive gel electrophoresis, are also included. Each chapter explains the basic theory behind the technique and provides valuable notes essential for its successful execution.