Assessment of pre-PCR whole genome amplification of single pollen grains using flowering dogwood (Cornus florida)

Abstract

ASSESMENT OF PRE-PCR WHOLE GENOME AMPLIFICATION OF SINGLE POLLEN GRAINS USING FLOWERING DOGWOOD (Cornus florida) By Candace Elizabeth Dillon, B.S. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Biology at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2009 Major Professor: Rodney J. Dyer, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Department of Biology Studies of gene flow in natural plant populations often focus on either historical or abiotic dispersal methods (e.g. wind, water, gravity), but there is little information available on contemporary, animal-mediated pollen dispersal patterns. Emerging molecular laboratory techniques allow unprecedented insights into spatial patterns of pollen-mediated gene flow. However, to date, technical challenges have limited their widespread application. The genome of a pollen grain can be amplified via whole genome amplification (WGA) prior to traditional amplification via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to prevent the stochastic effects associated with low copy number amplification. Even still, WGA can suffer from low success rates or poor repeatability. The present