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 producing diploid embryo-tetraploid embryo chimeras. It requires the timed combination of four-cell-stage tetraploid embryo production and the procedure for diploid embryo-diploid embryo aggregation. The resulting chimeras are useful for phenotypic analysis when an induced mutation has an extraembryonic phenotype. - [Read Assembling Aggregates between Diploid and Tetraploid Embryos Protocol]
Protocol describes a method for producing ES cell-tetraploid embryo chimeras. It requires the timed combination of four-cell-stage tetraploid embryo production and the procedure for ES cell-diploid embryo aggregation in which diploid embryos are replaced with tetraploid embryos. The resulting chimeras can be used to analyze the embryonic versus extraembryonic phenotype of a mutation. - [Read Assembling Aggregates between Embryonic Stem (ES) Cells and Tetraploid Embryos Protocol]
Determination of the CpG Island Methylator Phenotype (CIMP) in colorectal cancer using MethyLight. Protocol describes a detailed, step-by-step protocol of the MethyLight assay for detection of CIMP with high sensitivity and specificity in colorectal cancer using a five marker panel composed of CACNA1G, IGF2, NEUROG1, RUNX3 and SOCS1. - [Read Determination of the CpG Island Methylator Phenotype (CIMP) in colorectal cancer using MethyLight]
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]
Cultivating animal cells in the laboratory is an indispensable technique for cell biologists. However, most normal primary cell lines, while faithfully reproducing the phenotype of their tissue of origin, do not grow indefinitely in culture. After a series of population doublings (the number of which varies by species, cell type, and culture conditions) primary cells enter a state where they no longer divide. - [Read Immortalization of Cells in Culture]
Human tissues are comprised of multiple interacting cell populations in a complex three dimensional arrangement with each cellular phenotype determined by a unique profile of mRNA and protein expression. Before microdissection techniques were developed, the only analysis tools for phenotypic studies were primarily immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridization. While useful, these tools are limited to single gene analysis and, in general, do not allow qualitative studies. - [Read Microdissection Overview]
Protocol describes transfection of plasmid DNA into mammalian cell lines using electroporation, a process whereby external application of electric pulses induce cell membrane permeability. Cells in suspension and small volume cells are difficult to transfect, whereas adherent cells and large volume cells are relatively easy. Regardless of cell size or phenotype, transfection efficiency increases with a high concentration of cells in a small volume. - [Read Optimizing Electrotransfection of Mammalian Cells In Vitro Protocol]
Protocol for phenotype-specific immunodetection of cyclins using 488/630 nm dual laser flow cytometry. This protocol is for use with the D and E cyclins and employs 488 nm argon laser excitation of propidium iodide and a FITC-conjugated phenotypic label, and 630 nm NeNe or diode laser excitation of the fluorochrome Cy5 to detect cell cycle-specific cyclin D expression. - [Read Phenotype-Specific Immunodetection of Cyclins using 488/630 nm Dual Laser Flow Cytometry Protocol]
This protocol fixes and prepares embryos for in situ hybridization to visualize transcript expression patterns. It is a modification of the method developed by Tautz and Pfeifle for whole-mount in situ analysis of embryos. Use of the standard hybridization protocol on RNAi-treated embryos results in high background staining, which makes visualization of transcript expression patterns practically impossible. The following modifications eliminate this problem and allow visualization of transcript. - [Read Transcript In Situ Hybridization of Whole-Mount Embryos for Phenotype Analysis of RNAi-Treated]