Microsatellite DNA Typing Service

Microsatellites are used as informative markers found in the genomes of most species. They are defined as tandem repeats of 2-10 base pair units and are often present as perfect or imperfect repeats. The number of repeats found in any given microsatellite region are sometimes highly variable, with as many as hundreds of copies of the repeat unit in each microsatellite. As a result of their highly polymorphic nature, microsatellites are informative molecular markers that can be applied to research in the fields of population genetics, medical genetics, forensic science, evolutionary biology, and plant breeding. Once potentially useful (i.e. polymorphic) microsatellites are found, PCR primers are constructed from the DNA sequences flanking the microsatellite regions. PCR-amplified microsatellite alleles can be detected using various methods

We offer genotyping services with our ABI3730 DNA Analyzer. The 3730 employs an array of 48 capillaries to electrophoretically separate fluorescently labeled DNA fragments. PCR-based microsatellite analysis has several advantages over conventional methods of DNA analysis. First of all, there is a better chance of obtaining results with small or degraded amounts of DNA because of the small size of microsatellite loci. Secondly, PCR-based tests are rapid, giving results in 48 hours or less. Also, PCR-based tests are easy to standardize and automate, so that the results are very reproducible. Finally, microsatellite alleles have discrete sizes, allowing for simplified interpretation of results. Multiplexed PCR or pooled reactions amplified with compatible labeled primers are scored with the ABI PRISM® 3730 DNA Analyzer.