In a first aspect, the present invention features methods for differentiating
DNA species originating from different individuals in a biological sample. These
methods may be used to differentiate or detect fetal DNA in a maternal sample or
to differentiate DNA of an organ donor from DNA of an organ recipient. In preferred
embodiments, the DNA species are differentiated by observing epigenetic differences
in the DNA species such as differences in DNA methylation. In a second aspect,
the present invention features methods of detecting genetic abnormalities in a
fetus by detecting fetal DNA in a biological sample obtained from a mother. In
a third aspect, the present invention features methods for differentiating DNA
species originating from an organ donor from those of an organ recipient. In a
fourth aspect, the present invention features kits for differentiating DNA species
originating from different individuals in a biological sample.
