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]
Protocol describes a method for assembling aggregates between diploid embryos. If embryos from a heterozygous mutant intercross are aggregated with wild-type embryos, the resulting chimeras can be used for analyzing mutant phenotypes. - [Read Assembling Aggregates between Diploid Embryos Protocol]
EMS is used at concentrations that induce multiple point mutations in each plant, such that mutant alleles of a specific locus are found at a rate of ~1 in 2000-5000 M2 plants. This high rate of mutagenesis makes possible the screening of relatively few plants to find those with the phenotype of interest, a particular advantage if the screen is laborious or if only a small number of genes mutate to the required phenotype. - [Read EMS Mutagenesis of Arabidopsis Seed Protocol]
Protocol describes mutagenesis of yeast with ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS). It causes approximately 40-70% cell death in most haploid laboratory strains, a level of cell killing that is commonly used in mutant hunts with haploid strains. - [Read Ethyl Methane Sulfonate (EMS) Mutagenesis Protocol]
This protocol describes a method for recombining and culturing germ layer fragments. It is useful for testing the inductive properties of fragments from wild-type and mutant mouse embryos. - [Read Germ Layer Explant Recombination Culture Protocol]
Protocol describes a method for recombining and culturing germ layer fragments. It is useful for testing the inductive properties of fragments from wild-type and mutant mouse embryos. - [Read Germ Layer Explant Recombination Culture Protocol]
Positron emission tomography (PET) is a established quantitative and noninvasive imaging modality. With the PET reporter gene (PRG)/PET reporter probe (PRP) system, based on a mutant form of herpes simplex virus 1 thymidine kinase (HSV1-sr39tk), the PET signal is directly proportional to the enzymatic activity of sr39TK9-14. In this protocol, we describe in detail a method for reporter gene labeling of islets and quantitative scanning using a reporter probe. - [Read In Vivo Functional Real-Time Imaging of Transplanted Islets Using Positron Emission Tomography (PET)]
A powerful way to identify a mutation in the gene of interest and to test mutant plants for phenotypes that are predicted to result from loss of function of that gene is by PCR screening. Pools of insertion lines are screened using one primer corresponding to the gene of interest and one primer corresponding to the end of the insertion element. The synthesis of a product indicates the presence of an insertion in the gene of interest. - [Read Screening DNA Pools for T-DNA Insertions in Arabidopsis Genes Protocol]
Plaques formed by M13 bacteriophages or bacterial colonies transformed by plasmids carrying specific mutations can be detected by hybridization, using a radiolabeled oligonucleotide that forms a perfect duplex with the mutant sequence. Hybridization is carried out under conditions of low stringency that allow the radiolabeled oligonucleotide to anneal to both mutant and wild-type DNAs. - [Read Screening Recombinant Clones for Site-directed Mutagenesis by Hybridization to Radiolabeled Oligos]
Protocol describes the general procedure for creating mutations in the DNA of Drosophila by exposure to X-rays. Irradiation of cells with X-rays creates double strand breaks (DSBs) in DNA. Mutations introduced in the DNA of germ line cells (sperm) are propagated by mating the exposed males to virgin females. The progeny of this cross can be mated to each other so that a percentage of the subsequent offspring will have two copies of the same mutant allele. - [Read X-Ray Mutagenesis of Drosophila Protocol]
This protocol describes the electroporation of the BMH 81-17 mut S strain that is recommended for tranformation of the site directed mutagenesis of dsDNA (See Protocol on Site-Directed Mutagenesis on Double Stranded DNA). BMH 81-17 mut S are a mismatch repair defective (mut S) Escherichia coli strain. The probability that the two mutations will cosegregate during the first round of DNA replication is increased in this strain.
The protocol gives general considerations for the design of targeting vectors for transgenic mice. The protocol shares tips in the design of knock-out and knock-in vectors and some of their strategies for producing homologously recombined embryonic stem cells.