Analytical chemistry looks into microsatellite amplification in lizards

Analytical chemistry undertaken by scientists from Virginia State University indicates the ideal conditions for amplification of microsatellite loci in bunchgrass lizards.

The study of the Sceloporus slevini species focused on the use of analytical chemistry to increase the amplitude of five different primer pairs associated with microsatellites in the lizard.

Microsatellites in DNA are sequences of "nucleotide motifs" containing up to five bases which can be detected in multiple locations throughout the genome.

Also known as Simple Sequence Repeats, they are significant at present as markers for high-throughput genomic analysis.

In the S slevini genome, the best amplification of all five primer pairs was achieved with DNA concentration of 37.5 ng in the reaction volume.

Temperatures of 94 degrees C for the first five minutes, followed by 55 degrees C and four-minute extension at 72 degrees C achieved the highest amplification.

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