High resolution estimates of relative gene abundance with quantitative ratiometric regression PCR (qRR-PCR).

Quantification of the relative abundance of genetic traits has broad applications for biomarker discovery, diagnostics, and assessing gene expression in biological research. Relative quantification of genes is traditionally done with the 2 method using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) data, which is often limited in resolution beyond orders of magnitude difference. The latest techniques for quantification of nucleic acids employ digital PCR or microarrays which involve lengthy sample preparation and complex instrumentation.

Genome-wide distribution of transposed Dissociation elements in maize.

The maize (Zea mays) transposable element Dissociation (Ds) was mobilized for large-scale genome mutagenesis and to study its endogenous biology. Starting from a single donor locus on chromosome 10, over 1500 elements were distributed throughout the genome and positioned on the maize physical map. Genetic strategies to enrich for both local and unlinked insertions were used to distribute Ds insertions.

Regional mutagenesis using Dissociation in maize.

We describe genetic screens, molecular methods and web resources newly available to utilize Dissociation (Ds) as an insertional mutagen in maize. Over 1700 Ds elements have been distributed throughout the maize genome to serve as donor elements for local or regional mutagenesis. Two genetic screens are described to identify Ds insertions in genes-of-interest (goi).