In the realm of molecular biology, accurate species identification is paramount. Whether for conservation efforts, biodiversity studies, or ensuring the authenticity of biological materials, precise identification underpins informed decision-making. Traditional methods, often relying on morphological characteristics, can be subjective and prone to errors, especially when dealing with closely related species or cryptic taxa. Sequence tagged site (STS) markers, as a powerful molecular tool, have greatly improved the accuracy of species identification.
Fig 1. Sequence Tagged Site (Avinash M., 2014)
What are Sequence Tagged Sites (STS) Markers
Sequence Tagged Sites (STS) markers are short, unique DNA sequences found at a specific location within a genome. These markers serve as genetic fingerprints, allowing scientists to differentiate between species or even individuals within a species with high accuracy.
How STS Markers Work
- Identification of STS Markers: Scientists identify unique STS markers within the genomes of the species of interest. These markers should be present in the target species but absent or significantly different in others.
- Primer Design: Specific DNA primers are designed to target and amplify these STS markers through the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).
- PCR Amplification: DNA samples from unknown species are subjected to PCR. If the specific STS marker is present in the sample, the primers will bind to it and amplify the region, creating many copies.
- Visualization: The amplified DNA fragments are then visualized using gel electrophoresis. The presence or absence of specific bands on the gel indicates the presence or absence of the corresponding STS marker, allowing for species identification.
Technical Characteristics of STS Markers
- High Specificity: STS markers are often unique to a particular species, leading to accurate identification.
- Reproducibility: The PCR-based approach is highly reproducible, ensuring consistent results across different labs.
- Co-dominant Nature: STS markers can differentiate between homozygous and heterozygous individuals, providing more detailed genetic information.
- Wide Applicability: STS markers can be used to identify a wide range of organisms, from bacteria to plants and animals.
Technical Classifications
- Genomic STS Markers: Derived from unique sequences within the nuclear genome.
- Mitochondrial STS Markers: Derived from the mitochondrial genome, often used for phylogenetic studies and species identification in animals.
- Chloroplast STS Markers: Derived from the chloroplast genome, particularly useful for plant species identification.
Applications Fields
- Conservation Biology: Identifying endangered or cryptic species to aid in conservation efforts.
- Agriculture: Authenticating crop varieties, detecting adulteration, and protecting intellectual property rights.
- Food Safety: Tracing the origin of food products and identifying potential contaminants.
- Forensic Science: Identifying individuals in criminal investigations and wildlife forensics.
- Environmental Monitoring: Assessing biodiversity, monitoring invasive species, and tracking the spread of pathogens.
- Evolutionary Biology: Studying phylogenetic relationships and understanding evolutionary patterns.
Environmental Benefits
- Non-invasive Sampling: In many cases, DNA can be extracted from non-invasive samples like hair, feathers, or feces, minimizing disturbance to wildlife.
- Reduced Reliance on Morphological Identification: Reduces the need for expert taxonomists, especially for species that are difficult to identify based on morphology alone.
- Early Detection of Invasive Species: Enables rapid identification of invasive species, facilitating timely management interventions.
- Monitoring of Endangered Species: Helps track the distribution and population dynamics of endangered species, informing conservation strategies.
Our Services
At our bio-environmental company, we specialize in providing cutting-edge Sequence Tagged Sites (STS) Markers services for species identification and genetic analysis. Here's an overview of the services we offer:
- Genetic Diversity Assessment: We utilize STS Markers to assess genetic diversity within and between populations, which is crucial for conservation efforts and breeding programs.
- Species Identification and Authentication: Our services include the identification and authentication of species using STS Markers, which are co-dominant and locus-specific, providing accurate and reproducible results.
- Molecular Fingerprinting: We offer molecular fingerprinting services to differentiate between individual genotypes and cultivars, which is particularly useful in agriculture and horticulture.
- Genetic Mapping: Our STS Markers services are integral to genetic mapping, helping to locate genes of interest along the chromosome.
- Breeding Program Support: We support breeding programs by providing markers that can be used to track desirable traits and improve genetic selection.
- Environmental Applications: Our STS Markers are used in environmental studies to monitor biodiversity and assess the impact of environmental changes on species.
- High-Throughput Screening: Our services are designed for high-throughput screening, allowing for the analysis of large numbers of samples efficiently.
Distinctive Service Features
- High Reproducibility: STS Markers are known for their high reproducibility due to the use of longer primer sequences, ensuring reliable results.
- Technical Simplicity: Our STS Markers services are technically simple to perform, requiring standard PCR protocols and equipment, which makes them accessible to a wide range of laboratories.
- Co-dominant Markers: STS Markers allow for the distinction between homozygotes and heterozygotes, providing detailed genetic information.
- Database Accessibility: The means of testing for the presence of a particular STS can be completely described in a database, making our services efficient and transparent.
Contact Us
By choosing our STS Markers services, you are leveraging the latest molecular marker technology to gain deep insights into genetic diversity and species identification. Contact us today to learn more about how our services can support your research or breeding program.
How to Place an Order
Reference
- Avinash M., Gaur R.K., et al "Sequence Tagged Site" Pediatric Endocrinology 2014, 28(7):1083.
Our products and services are for research use only and cannot be used for any clinical purposes.
Sequence Tagged Sites (STS) Markers
