Gene-associated markers provide tools for tackling illegal fishing and false eco-certification.

Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated fishing has had a major role in the overexploitation of global fish populations. In response, international regulations have been imposed and many fisheries have been 'eco-certified' by consumer organizations, but methods for independent control of catch certificates and eco-labels are urgently needed. Here we show that, by using gene-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms, individual marine fish can be assigned back to population of origin with unprecedented high levels of precision.

Analysis of crucial factors resulting in microarray hybridization failure.

The factors that affect the formation and stability of DNA/DNA duplexes are complicated and still mostly unknown. In this study attempts were made to look for the crucial factor affecting hybridization failure in DNA microarray assays. A comprehensive range of factors were investigated simultaneously using a 25-mer oligonucleotide Potyvirus microarray.

Identifying Fishes through DNA Barcodes and Microarrays.

Background: International fish trade reached an import value of 62.8 billion Euro in 2006, of which 44.6% are covered by the European Union.

Development of a short oligonucleotide microarray for the detection and identification of multiple potyviruses.

The genus Potyvirus is the largest and one of the most economically important virus genera infecting plants. However, current diagnostic techniques are limited in their ability to identify multiple potyvirus infections. An assay that can identify multiple potyviruses simultaneously, with good specificity and sensitivity, is therefore highly desirable.

Immobilization chemistries.

Among the parameters which influence the success of a microarray experiment, the attachment of the nucleic acid captures to the support surface plays a decisive role.This article attempts to review the main concepts and ideas of the multiple variants which exist in terms of the immobilization chemistries used in nucleic acid microarray technology. Starting from the attachment of unmodified nucleic acids to modified glass slides by adsorption, further strategies for the coupling of nucleic acid capture molecules to a variety of support materials are surveyed with a focus on the reactive groups involved in the respective process.

Genetic population structure of the lionfish Pterois miles (Scorpaenidae, Pteroinae) in the Gulf of Aqaba and northern Red Sea.

The aim of this study is to reveal gene flow between populations of the coral reef dwelling lionfish Pterois miles in the Gulf of Aqaba and northern Red Sea. Due to the fjord-like hydrography and topology of the Gulf of Aqaba, isolation of populations might be possible. Analysis of 5' mitochondrial control region sequences from 94 P.

Molecular phylogeny of the lionfish genera Dendrochirus and Pterois (Scorpaenidae, Pteroinae) based on mitochondrial DNA sequences.

This study investigates the molecular phylogeny of seven lionfishes of the genera Dendrochirus and Pterois. MP, ML, and NJ phylogenetic analysis based on 964 bp of partial mitochondrial DNA sequences (cytochrome b and 16S rDNA) revealed two main clades: (1) "Pterois" clade (Pterois miles and Pterois volitans), and (2) "Pteropterus-Dendrochirus" clade (remainder of the sampled species). The position of Dendrochirus brachypterus either basal to the main clades or in the "Pteropterus-Dendrochirus" clade cannot be resolved.

Detection of rViscumin in plasma samples by immuno-PCR.

To allow for pharmacokinetic studies in adjunction with the current clinical developments of the potent cytostatic anti-cancer drug rViscumin, a sandwich immuno-PCR (IPCR) assay was developed for the detection of rViscumin in blood plasma. The IPCR was carried out with a commercially available reagent kit, consisting of pre-assembled rViscumin-specific antibody-DNA conjugates as well as a specific competitor DNA fragment to be amplified by PCR. Various combinations of capture- and detection-antibodies were compared for performance in IPCR.

Selection of large diversities of antiidiotypic antibody fragments by phage display.

Antiidiotypic antibodies (Ab2) are needed as tools for a better understanding of molecular mimicry and the immunological network, and for many potential applications in the biomedical and pharmaceutical field. Antiidiotypic antibodies mimicking carbohydrate or conformational epitopes (Ab2beta) are of considerable interest as surrogate immunogens for cancer vaccination. However, it has so far been difficult and tedious to produce Ab2s to a given antigen.

DNA microarrays with PAMAM dendritic linker systems.

The DNA microarray-based analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) is important for the correlation of genetic variations and individual phenotypes, and for locating disease-causing genes. To facilitate the development of surfaces suitable for immobilization of oligonucleotides, we report here a novel method for the surface immobilization of DNA using pre-fabricated polyamidoamine (PAMAM) starburst dendrimers as mediator moieties. Dendrimers containing 64 primary amino groups in their outer sphere are covalently attached to silylated glass supports and, subsequently, the dendritic macromolecules are modified with glutaric anhydride and activated with N-hydroxysuccinimide.