Chimerism is an extremely rare disorder that mixes the chromosomal population in a single organism. Chimerism may manifest as the presence of two sets of DNA, or organs that do not match the DNA of the rest of the organism. In some cases, hermaphroditic characteristics can be signs of chimerism. Contemporary use of the term chimerism derives from the idea of a "mixed" entity, referring to someone who has received a transplant of genetically different tissue. Engraftment monitoring, also called chimerism testing, by DNA utilizes methodology commonly used in human identity testing. Dr. Shalini Pereira talks about how this new testing technology identifies genetic profiles of a recipient and donor(s) after a stem cell transplant, and can be used to evaluate the extent of mixture in the recipient's peripheral blood, bone marrow or other tissue.

Shalini Pereira, Ph.D.