Microsatellite isolation and genotyping

The development of new genetic markers and in particular the use of enrichment methods to create new microsatellite marker sets has been particularly requested during the initial ten years of the Facility's existence. The expertise existing at the Facility for preparing new microsatellite DNA libraries has been successfully utilised for projects involving various species of insect, fish, amphibian, bird, mammal and plant.

In some cases, it is possible to develop a microsatellite marker set by utilising existing microsatellite markers isolated from other related species, usually species belonging the same genus or family. The existing markers are tested and developed to form a suitable microsatellite set. For the purpose of constructing microsatelite marker sets in this way, the Facility maintains a laboratory stock of over 1500 microsatellite primers. Developing a microsatellite marker set is this way has been performed for projects on many species, including several passerine birds (for which an excel database of bird microsatellite marker cross-utility is maintained at the Facility).

Training and facilities for the application of microsatellite marker sets for automated genotyping has been and remains the other core request of the Facility (see Supported Publications).

We have successfully developed microsatellite libraries for over 70 species including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, insects and plants.