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Human DNA contains several thousands genes responsible for the phenotypic expression and functions of the body. However, the make up of DNA is not only limited to functional genes but also contains thousands of other repetitive segments of DNA called Alu elements, which insert themselves either between or within genes. These Alu elements have mobilized throughout primate genomes by retrotransposition over the past 65 million years of primate evolution. Thus, the goal of this research was to amplify the PV 92 locus on chromosome 16 of various individuals and determine the presence or absence of the Alu element. This paper presents a preliminary data on amplification of PV92 locus and analysis of the transposition rate of Alu elements. The DNA used was extracted from cheek epithelia cells of 17 individuals. Integrity of isolated DNA samples was determined by the use of spectrophotometer and gel electrophoresis using 1% agarose gel. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was then used to amplify the PV92 locus using primers specific for the locus. The results showed that some of the 17 individuals had the insertion on both pairs of chromosome 16. Others had the insertion on only one chromosome and others had no insertion at all. These results suggest how the random insertions of Alu sequences contribute to genetic diversity at the molecular level. Further research shall be on understanding the rate of transposition of Alu elements among people from different locations and ethnicities. This will present a clearer picture on the evolutionary trend of PV92 Alu insertion
