Microdissection and microcloning of human chromosome 7q22-32 region

Design for fully steerable dual-trap optical tweezers

A design for complete beam steering (in three dimensions) of one or two optical tweezers traps is presented. The two most important requirements for efficient and stable movement of an optical trap are identified. A detailed recipe for the construction of a movable optical tweezers trap that fulfills these requirements is given (exemplified with an inverted microscope). The system has been found to allow for precise and free movements of both traps in all three dimensions in a dual-trap optical tweezers configuration and to be robust and reliable, as well as forgiving of small misalignments in the optical system.

An integrated genetic and physical map of the bovine X chromosome

Genotypic data for 56 microsatellites (ms) generated from maternal full sib families nested within paternal half sib pedigrees were used to construct a linkage map of the bovine X Chromosome (Chr) (BTX) that spans 150 cM (ave. interval 2.7 cM). The linkage map contains 36 previously unlinked ms; seven generated from a BTXp library. Genotypic data from these 36 ms was merged into an existing linkage map to more than double the number of informative BTX markers. A male specific linkage map of the pseudoautosomal region was also constructed from five ms at the distal end of BTXq. Four informative probes physically assigned by fluorescence in situ hybridization defined the extent of coverage, confirmed the position of the pseudoautosomal region on the q-arm, and identified a 4.1-cM marker interval containing the centromere of BTX.

A chromosome-specific microdissected library increases marker density on bovine chromosome 1

Genetic resolution of bovine chromosome 1 (BTA1) linkage group was significantly increased by screening for microsatellite clones a microdissected library constructed from a bovine cell line carrying a t(1;29) translocation. Eighty-five percent of the microsatellites (ms) (46/54) identified were informative in the USDA/MARC mapping population, and 96% of these ms (44/46) linked to BTA1 (LOD > 3.0). When merged with 40 existing BTA1 markers the genetic map spanned 153.8 cM (sex-averaged interval, 1.9 cM). The fourfold improvement in marker density of BTA1 provides a genetic map that enhances mapping of quantitative trait loci and implementation of marker assisted selection.

Analysis of region-specific library constructed by sequence-independent amplification of microdissected fragments surrounding weaver (wv) gene on mouse chromosome 16

The C3-C4 region of mouse chromosome 16 was microdissected and amplified directly by sequence-independent amplification (SIA). The SIA product was proved to originate from the microdissected region by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and was cloned into the PCR II vector (mean insert size 506 bp). Colony hybridization showed that about 59% of the clones contained either unique or low copy number sequences. Southern blot analysis of 100 unique clones demonstrated that 50 clones hybridized with single (33 clones) or multiple (17 clones) bands on blots of DNA from a hamster-mouse hybrid cell line that contains mouse chromosome 16, 13 clones hybridized with mouse but not with the hamster-mouse hybrid DNA, 19 clones contained repetitive sequences, and the remaining 18 clones failed to yield bands. One third of the 100 unique clones hybridized to human genomic DNA. Thirty-three clones were sequenced. None of them was found in GenBank. Our results demonstrate that this relatively simple method of microdissection and cloning can produce a library of good quality.

Laser micromanipulators for biotechnology and genome research

The use of lasers for complete micromanipulation of metaphase chromosomes, cells and subcellular structures is reviewed. DNA probes from single microdissected chromosome segments can be prepared using Alu or Adaptor PCR. In plant biotechnology, laser microsurgery can be used to prepare non-enzymatically protoplasts from Medicago sativa. Microgravity can be simulated in the alga Chara by lifting intracellular gravity transmitting elements with the optical tweezers.

Chromosome microtechnology: microdissection and microcloning

The physical microdissection of chromosomes and subsequent microcloning of dissected fragments is enabling the generation of very large numbers of cloned unique sequences from defined chromosomal regions. In addition to use in constructing region-specific libraries of the entire human genome and providing probes for mapping and sequencing purposes, such chromosome microtechnology should facilitate the search for disease-associated genes in defined chromosome regions.

Physical mapping of the human genome by pulsed field gel analysis

Detailed physical maps of large regions of the human genome are important for locating and cloning genes responsible for human hereditary diseases, as well as for obtaining a more detailed understanding of chromosome structure and evolution. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis provides one method for generating physical maps of non-methylated rare restriction endonuclease sites. This review summarizes recent progress in the isolation of region-specific mapping probes and in their application for the physical mapping of selected regions of the human genome.