Variable Number Tandem Repeats (VNTR) Markers

Our company offers comprehensive VNTR-based species identification services tailored to meet the diverse needs of researchers, conservationists, and industry professionals. We leverage cutting-edge molecular techniques and bioinformatics expertise to deliver accurate, reliable, and timely results.

• DNA Extraction: High-quality DNA is extracted from the target organism using standardized protocols.
• PCR Amplification: Specific VNTR loci are amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a technique that generates millions of copies of the target DNA sequences.
• Fragment Analysis: The PCR products are separated based on their size using electrophoresis. The size variations, corresponding to the number of repeats at each VNTR locus, are then detected and analyzed.
• Data Interpretation: The resulting VNTR profiles are compared to reference databases or analyzed using statistical methods to determine the species or strain of the organism.

• High Polymorphism: VNTRs exhibit a high degree of length variation, making them informative markers for distinguishing closely related species or populations.
• Codominant Inheritance: VNTR alleles are inherited from both parents, allowing for the determination of heterozygosity and population genetic analyses.
• Relative Stability: While VNTRs can mutate, they are generally stable enough to be used for species identification and tracking over time.
• Wide Applicability: VNTRs can be used to identify a wide range of organisms, including bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals.

• Multiple-Locus VNTR Analysis (MLVA): This approach involves analyzing multiple VNTR loci simultaneously, providing a more comprehensive and discriminatory genetic profile. MLVA is particularly useful for bacterial strain typing and outbreak investigations.
• Single-Locus VNTR Analysis (SLVA): This technique focuses on analyzing a single VNTR locus, which can be sufficient for species identification in certain cases. SLVA is often used for rapid screening or when limited genetic information is available.

• Microbial Forensics: MLVA is used to distinguish strains of bacterial pathogens for epidemiological tracking and outbreak investigations.
• Wildlife Conservation: VNTRs help identify and monitor endangered species, study population genetics, and track illegal wildlife trade.
• Agriculture: VNTRs are used for breed identification, parentage testing, and genetic diversity studies in livestock and crops.
• Food Safety: VNTRs can be used to identify foodborne pathogens and track their sources in outbreak investigations.
• Environmental Monitoring: VNTRs can be used to assess biodiversity, monitor invasive species, and track the spread of pollutants.

• Non-invasive Sampling: In many cases, DNA can be extracted from non-invasive samples such as hair, feathers, or feces, minimizing the impact on wildlife populations.
• Reduced Reliance on Morphological Identification: VNTRs can be used to identify species even when morphological features are ambiguous or unavailable, such as in the case of processed or degraded samples.
• Improved Conservation Efforts: Accurate species identification is crucial for effective conservation management, including habitat protection, population monitoring, and the control of invasive species.

• High Resolution and Discrimination: Our VNTR services offer superior resolution compared to traditional methods like PFGE, making them ideal for differentiating closely related strains.
• Rapid and Reproducible Results: VNTR typing is known for its speed and reproducibility, allowing for quick turnaround times and consistent results across different studies.
• Advanced Genotyping Techniques: We employ state-of-the-art genotyping techniques, such as MLVA, which has proven to be more discriminatory than PFGE in some cases and may become the preferred method for certain pathogens.
• Expertise in VNTR Analysis: Our team has extensive experience in VNTR analysis, ensuring that your project benefits from the latest scientific knowledge and technical expertise.