ssr cross species amplification - (Jul/31/2008 )

Hello all, I'm working with SSR's in plants and insects and for the plant component I've been simply getting everything I need from cross-species amplification on primers already developed for the same genus. This has been nice but I have been asked by my major professor to perhaps get the insect component up and running. I've looked through the literature for evidence of cross-species(even cross genus or subfamily) amplification but have gotten mixed feelings about it. Primers to order are not overly costly to the lab but my time is limited as the rest of my masters project is plenty enough. I guess I was just wondering if anyone had any insight or if there is a rule that people usually follow with these sorts of trials, any insight would be appreciated. Thanks all!!


-Dan

Have any SSRs been identified in the insect species you want to work with, or will you have to go looking for them? Are all the insects from the same genus, as with your plants (ie. how closely related are your insect species)? If you have no existing genetic information, I think you will probably just have to give it a try. Hard to predict these things.

I've found primer sets developed for a species in the same genus, and a set for a species in the same subfamily, I guess I'll just screen some with my next batch. Thanks!