Consider a pair of birds. The behaviour of the birds suggest that all the offspring may not be the product of the pair. DNA profiling may provide the answer. This can be carried out using microsatellites or minisatellites. We discuss the difference between these two motifs and how their characteristics make them suitable for this type of problem. Then we go through the procedure by which they are used. How many of these motifs are available in the genome and the radical difference in their utilization. We then spend a little more time on microsatellites as this is the easier of the two to employ, mainly because it relies on PCR (polymerase chain reaction).
As PCR crops up again and again in this section we examine how this technique operates and its many advantages. There are also problems and the role of positive controls and negative controls are discussed.
Other evolutionary problems can also be found in the pair of birds and their family. Let us say they are Robins. Unfortunately male Robins along with about 1/2 the other species of birds in existence look exactly the same as female Robins. Again we can use DNA to discover which is which. The same technique can also serve to identify the sex of the offspring. Why is this important - we look into the possibilities.
Given that sexing is a technique that has recently sprung to prominence we consider the problems that have lead to its development. What is a sex specific marker? Is it difficult to find? Why is a gene far better than non-coding DNA.
Unfortunately you will have to give 5-10 minute talks during the 2nd lecture. Come to my office (roof labs: 404) to pick up the questions you will be answering - the sooner you come, the bigger choice of questions there will be available. However we may also have a trip into the lab which will shut me up for a while and you will see how molecular work is carried out by professionals (?!).
Mueller U & Wolfenbarger L (1999) AFLP genotyping and fingerprinting. TREE 14: 389-394. [PDF]
Griffiths R (2000) Sex identification in birds. Seminars in Avian and Exotic Pet Medicine, 9:14. Copies of this can also be picked up at my office (404).