Microsatellite Development Research Articles

Developing microsatellite markers from cDNA: a tool for adding expressed sequence tags to the genetic linkage map of the chicken.

A chicken embryonic cDNA library was screened with a (TG)13 probe in order to develop polymorphic microsatellite markers. The redundancy of the embryonic cDNA library with a chicken brain cDNA library, which was used for microsatellite development in a previous study, was extremely high. Of the 300 (TG)13 positive clones, only 80 were unique for the embryonic cDNA library. Still, nine expressed sequences derived from the embryonic cDNA library were mapped in the Wageningen (WAU) resource population. In addition seven microsatellite markers from the chicken brain cDNA library, which were monomorphic or unlinked in the two international reference families in the previous study, were also mapped in the WAU population. Three of the 16 mapped chicken expressed sequence tags (ESTs) showed relatively high percentages of sequence similarity to sequences found in other species. As two of these genes, RAB6 and ZFX/ZFY, have been mapped in humans, they contribute to the comparative map of the chicken.

University research and development of a microsatellite

Developing a microsatellite at a university is an effective means of training engineering students for an R&D career. Such a programme requires the adoption of many research and development processes from industry. This paper describes how tailored forms of systems engineering, project management and technology management were applied to develop a high technology product at a tertiary educational institution. This microsatellite development programme has produced students who are well prepared for the realities of engineering practice, and a research and development facility that earns research funding for the university.

Managing a microsatellite development programme within the university environment

The specific approach to managing the SUNSAT microsatellite development programme at Stellenbosch University, South Africa, is described in this paper. Important issues discussed are: the role of marketing in gaining internal and external support: the financial costs of the various aspects of the programme; and practical aspects of using graduate student labour to perform most of the development work. Unlike most specialised university research programmes, the efforts of engineers and scientists from many technical disciplines need to be co-ordinated to achieve a common practical goal. The paper concludes with the most important lessons learned from this microsatellite development programme, namely that it should provide value to loyal supporters, that it requires strong leadership, a sound technical base, effective marketing and attentive financial management. With these factors embodied in efficient operational systems, embarking on a microsatellite development programme has been very beneficial to a tertiary educational institution.

Microsatellite Libraries Enriched for Several Microsatellite Sequences in Plants

Microsatellite Libraries Enriched for Several Microsatellite Sequences in Plants

Microsatellite markers and the analysis of genetic disease

The application of molecular biology is revolutionizing our understanding of the genetic contribution to disease in both man and animals. Candidate genes for a disorder can now be rapidly screened and sequenced. When no candidate gene is available, mutations can be localized to one particular region of a chromosome by positional cloning. This approach has been greatly facilitated by the development of microsatellites--DNA sequences with a simple repeated element that are both abundant and polymorphic. Microsatellites have been used successfully as disease markers and to locate the mutation in genetic disorders. They can also be used in DNA fingerprinting, for paternity testing, and as sequence tagged sites in genome mapping.