Microsatellites : A Review

By : Akhil K. Sankhla, C P Malik

Page No: 1-11

Abstract
Microsatellites have evolved as most adaptable and popular genetic marker in a multitude of plant systems. Due to their co-dominant, hyper-variable and multiallelic nature, they are the leading markers of choice for genetic finger printing, conservation biology, plant breeding and phylogenetic studies. SSR mutations or microsatellite instability (MSI) can result in either expansion or contraction of repeat units. The significance of microsatellite markers is because of their abundance in the genome, their single locus nature, ease of assay, mendelian inheritance and codominant nature. Despite the development of a new set of SSR markers for a species remained time consuming and expensive for many years. However, with the recent advancement in genomics, new strategies and protocols are now available for the generation of SSR markers. This chapter presents an overview on microsatellite markers, their applications and utility with an insight on the various strategies used for the development of microsatellite markers.

Authors :
Akhil K. Sankhla : PhD Scholar, School of Life Sciences, Jaipur National University, Jaipur, 302017, Rajasthan, India.
C.P. Malik : Professor and Advisor, School of Life Sciences, Jaipur National University, Jaipur, 302017, Rajasthan, India.