消减杂交（英语：Subtractive hybridization）这项技术可使对照组（驱赶子）与试验转录物组cDNA片段中仅不相同的部分得到基于PCR扩增。转录物相对丰度的差异得到突出显示，例如不同物种间的遗传学差异。此项技术基于：对照品与试样间杂交而形成的双链DNA（dsDNA）被移除，因此消除了cDNA或gDNA中丰度相似的部分，仅剩下差异表达或串行、转录物或基因组串行有变异的部分。

抑制消减杂交（英语：suppression subtractive hybridization，简称为SSH）亦成功地被用于鉴定品系或物种间的DNA串行差异，包括弧菌属等多种细菌。

Subtractive hybridization is a technology that allows for PCR-based amplification of only cDNA fragments that differ between a control (driver) and experimental transcriptome. cDNA is produced from mRNA. Differences in relative abundance of transcripts are highlighted, as are genetic differences between species. The technique relies on the removal of dsDNA formed by hybridization between a control and test sample, thus eliminating cDNAs or gDNAs of similar abundance, and retaining differentially expressed, or variable in sequence, transcripts or genomic sequences.