DNA markers

These DNA markers have been successfully employed to track specific strain-associated loci in endo- and ectomycorrhizal populations from agricultural land, forest nurseries, plantations, and natural ecosystems. The simplest strategy (digesting PCR-amplified ITS with selected endonucleases) has identified their symbionts in various ecosystems (18,36-38). Species discrimination by ITS-RFLP matching can be improved by comparing data for the targeted DNA with those on sequence databases (37). 

Tautz, D. (1989) Hypervariability of simple sequences as a general source for polymorphic DNA markers. Nucleic Acids Research 17, 6463-6471. 

Radiation causes dominant lethal mutations in the medaka (Oryzias latipes) (Shima and Shimada 1991). Mosquitofish (Gambusia spp.) from radionuclide-contaminated ponds in South Carolina differed from conspecifics in reference ponds, as judged by the frequency of DNA markers, and this is consistent with the hypothesis that these DNA markers may originate from genetic elements that provide a selective advantage in contaminated habitats (Theodorakis et al. 1998). Ionizing radiation at low-level chronic exposure reportedly has no deleterious genetic effects on aquatic populations because exposure is compensated by density-dependent responses in fecundity (IAEA 1976). However, this needs verification. 

Turner, A. S., Lees, A. K., Rezanoor, H. N., and Nicholson, P. (1998). Refinement of PCR-detection of Fusarium avenaceum and evidence from DNA marker studies for phenetic relatedness to Fusarium tricinctum. Plant Pathol. (Oxford) 47, 278-288. 

In the future, DNA markers may help predict who is likely to have a heart attack or develop arthritis, or even whose arthritis pain might be eased with a specific pill. Today, DNA markers are very powerful tools to identify with a great degree of certainty whether... 

Similar tests are also used to determine if a particular man is a child s biological father. DNA markers are inherited and when the child s DNA marker pattern is compared with the mother s and the alleged father s, it is easy to see whether the child inherited a marker that is not present in either the mother s or the man s pattern. If so, the man cannot have fathered the child. If the man is not excluded, using the same mathematical methods used for crime scene investigations, the scientist can provide an estimate of the chance that another man could be the child s father and could have provided the DNA marker pattern the child inherited from his father. 

Sukhotu, T., Hosaka, K. (2006). Origin and evolution of Andigena potatoes revealed by chloroplast and nuclear DNA markers. Genome, 49,636-647. 

Hosaka, K., Hanneman, R. E. Jr. (1998b). Genetics of self-compatibility in a self-incompatible wild diploid potato speeies Solanum ehaeoense. 2. Localization of an S locus inhibitor (Sli) gene on the potato genome using DNA markers. Euphytica, 103, 256-271. 

Forensic analysis of DNA samples DNA fingerprinting by means of PCR has revolutionized the analysis of evidence from crime scenes. DNA isolated from a single human hair, a tiny spot of blood, or a sample of semen is sufficient to determine whether the sample comes from a specific individual. The DNA markers analyzed for such fingerprinting are most commonly short tandem repeat polymorphisms (STRs). These are very similar to the VNTRs described previously (see p. 455), but are smaller in size. [Note Verification of paternity uses the same techniques.]... 

Fig. 1. Comparison of enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA, left) and immuno-polymerase chain reaction (IPCR, right). During ELISA, an antibody-enzyme conjugate is bound to the target antigen. The enzyme converts a substrate in solution to a detectable product. In IPCR, the antibody-enzyme conjugate is replaced by an antibody-DNA conjugate. The subsequent addition of a DNA polymerase enzyme (e.g., Taq), nucleotides and a specific primer pair uses the antibody-linked DNA marker sequence as a template for amplification of the DNA. The PCR product is finally detected as an indicator of the initial amount of antigen.

Whereas almost any DNA sequence is a possible tool for IPCR, interestingly, a large number of publications described the usage of a standard plasmid sequence from pBluescript/M13 [25, 27, 33-36] or pUC19 [10, 13, 26, 28, 37] as a kind of standard IPCR marker derived from DNA ready available in the typical molecular biology laboratory. Maia et al. emphasize the importance of a DNA-marker not present in the routine work of the laboratory carrying out IPCR to avoid cross-contamination. In their work, they used a unique BTV-virus-DNA sequence only found in ruminants for the detection of HbsAg [30],... 

Furthermore, the protocol of the Universal-IPCR simplifies the exchange of the DNA marker if several biotinylated DNAs were prepared. This flexibility in exchange of biotinylated DNA or biotinylated antibody for adaptation of a common protocol to separate applications marks the Universal-IPCR method as an ideal research tool, underlined by the multitude of applications carried out with this method (see Table 1). 

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