AFLP was designed as a highly sensitive method for DNA fingerprinting to be used in a variety of fields. We are using this technology to generate DNA based markers for cloning genes involved in phototropic responses in higher plants that have only been identified genetically by mutant phenotype. Protocol includes: Generate polymorphic recombinant F2 (or F3) population; Isolate genomic DNA; Restriction of DNA; Ligation of adapters; Pre-amplification of template DNA; AFLP-PCR; etc. - [Read AFLP For Positional Cloning]
Fluorescent indicators for imaging protein phosphorylation in single living cells. Using Phocuses, genetically encoded fluorescent indicators, one can visualize signal transduction based on protein phosphorylation in living cells. Moritoshi Sato1, Takeaki Ozawa1, Kouichi Inukai2, Tomoichiro Asano2 & Yoshio Umezawa1. Nature Biotechnology - [Read Fluorescent indicators for imaging protein phosphorylation in single living cells]
Protocol describes a method for generating isolated plaques from a stock of bacteriophage lambda. Each plaque derives from infection of a single bacterium by a single bacteriophage particle. Because each plaque contains the progeny of a single virus particle, the bacteriophages derived from a single plaque are essentially genetically identical to one another. - [Read Plating Bacteriophage Lambda Protocol]
RAPD is a procedure for typing and fingerprinting isolates of a species. It can be used for epidemiological studies, such as investigations into hospital outbreaks and as a laboratory aid to keep track of cultures and to verify that mutants generated in the laboratory are genetically identical to the parental strain. In our hands, the use of one primer, R108, is sufficiently discriminatory to distinguish between the isolates of different strains. - [Read Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) Typing and Fingerprinting Protocol]
Transfection of primary leukocytes has traditionally been a challenging but much desired protocol. It allows not only the analysis of cells in a more natural state to a cell line system, it enables the direct comparison of, for e.g. transcriptional activity using luciferase reporters, in immune cells taken from genetically-altered mice. In addition, importantly it allows for "rescue experiments" in knockout cells & the ability to over-express or reconstitute wild-type and/or mutated constructs. - [Read Transfection of Bone Marrow-Derived Mast Cells for Transcription Factor Luciferase Reporter Assays]
Alfalfa is an outcrossing species, cultivars consist of populations rather than individual homozygous or
inbred lines. After only two cycles of self-pollination, severe inbreeding depression eliminates selfed
individuals from populations. To obtain sufficient plant material of relative genetically uniformity (these
plants will still necessarily be heterozygous) for experimental purposes, it may be necessary to propagate a
single individual or clone. - [Read Vegetative Propagation of Alfalfa by Stem Cuttings]