1. Compare the DNA fingerprints of the Pennsylvania, Alabama, and Missouri virus isolates. What can you conclude about the virus infecting the patients in Missouri?

2. Why was PCR performed using the isolated viral genomes as a template prior to restriction digestion? That is, why not perform restriction digests on the isolated viral genomes themselves?

3. Why would the restriction fragment patterns from the two viruses differ?

4. W does your result affect how the medical authorities will handle the outbreak?