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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Salinas, California » Crop Improvement and Protection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #322993
Title: High-resolution DNA melting analysis in plant research

Author
item Simko, Ivan

Submitted to: Trends in Plant Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/5/2016
Publication Date: 5/26/2016
Citation: Simko, I. 2016. High-resolution DNA melting analysis in plant research. Trends in Plant Science. 21(6):528-537.

Interpretive Summary: DNA is subject to mutations that change information contained in the genome. Detection and study of spontaneous and induced mutations is essential for understanding changes in phenotypic variation and evolution of species. High-resolution DNA melting analysis (HRM) allows for systematical screening of mutants by the way of analyzing differences in melting curves of amplified DNA products. This approach does not require previous knowledge of the possible haplotypes, does not need fluorescent labels, and multiple alleles can be detected in a single amplified DNA product. HRM has recently been applied to identify induced mutations as well as natural variants in numerous plant species. The method can be used for high-throughput genotyping, mapping genes, testing food products, and in other areas of plant research. This paper reviews the current status of plant DNA analysis using HRM; including recent and previously unpublished results obtained in our laboratory.

Technical Abstract: Genetic and genomic studies provide valuable insight into the inheritance, structure, organization, and function of genes. The knowledge gained from the analysis of plant genes is beneficial to all aspects of plant research, including crop improvement. New methods and tools are continually developed to facilitate rapid and accurate mapping, sequencing, and analyzing of genes. Here, I review the recent progress in the application of high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis of DNA, a method that allows detecting polymorphism in double-stranded DNA by comparing profiles of melting curves. Use of HRM has expanded considerably in the last few years as the method was successfully applied for high-throughput genotyping, mapping genes, testing food products and seeds, and other areas of plant research.