Laboratory protocols: CIMMYT applied molecular genetics laboratory

Abstract

The primary motive for compiling and publishing this manual was to provide scientists, researchers, and students from national agricultural research systems, universities, and small private companies in developing countries, as well as advanced research institutions in the developed world, with a useful guide on the protocols currently in use in the Applied Molecular Genetics (AMG) Laboratory of CIMMYT’s Applied Biotechnology Center (a part of CIMMYT’s Genetics Resources Program). Now in its third edition, this manual incorporates the feedback and suggestions sent in by people who have used it in the past. Since the first edition of this manual was published, more than 1000 copies (of both the English and Spanish versions) have been distributed. Some of the technologies described here are very new; others are quite old. We have included the latter because, though they may be phased out in the future, they continue to be useful. But people who have older versions of the manual will notice we have eliminated se tions on obsolete protocols and have added others detailing new ones. The main protocols currently in use in CIMMYT’s AMG Lab have to do with molecular marker technology and can be used for mapping, molecular marker assisted selection, and studies on genetic diversity. Many can be applied well beyond maize and wheat, the main crops CIMMYT works with. The protocols included in this manual are used in CIMMYT’s AMG Lab; however, all labs have their own particular conditions. Therefore, the protocols should be optimized to fit the needs of each lab.