Chimerism
Chimerisms are organisms that have two or more genetically distinct populations of cells that typically originate from completely separate zygotes. They usually are a result of some type of transfusion/transplantation or they can be inherited. Inherited chimerisms such as in plants or mixed chimerisms that result from bone marrow transplantation can be monitored via sensitive PCR-based methods and analysis of STR markers. This allows researchers to study the dynamics of chimerisms and their impact on either a particular crop or perhaps the effectiveness of certain bone marrow transplants procedures.
