AFLP^® Analysis Using LI-COR
IR² DNA Automated Systems

Jiansheng Qiu¹, Ron Bromley¹, Harry Osterman¹, Jonathan Kuo² and Jhy-Jhu Lin²
1. LI-COR Inc., Biotechnology Division, 4647 Superior Street, Lincoln, NE 68504
2. Life Technologies, 9800 Medical Center Drive, Rockville, MD 20850

Abstract

Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP^®) marker systems have been widely used in plant, animal, and microbial genome research. The popularity of this fingerprinting and mapping technique has created the need for increased throughput by the automation of AFLP^® analyses. Toward this end, LI-COR IR² automated DNA sequencers and associated Gene ImagIR™ software can be used with AFLP^® Analysis Systems from Life Technologies™ to efficiently generate and analyze complex AFLP^® patterns of various organisms including plants, animals, and microbes.

When compared with conventional AFLP^® detection methods, the automated system provides at least four major advantages. First, Infrared (IR) dyes are much safer and stable than alternative radioactive labels. Second, image data can be obtained from the automated system in several hours rather than 2-4 days with radioactive or silver staining procedures. Third, the sensitivity of the automated system and availability of the IR-label AFLP^® primers reduce overall cost and eliminate labeling steps. Finally, AFLP^® images can be scored quickly with Gene ImagIR software, avoiding multiple data-entry steps in scoring markers and preparing data for analysis using phylogeny programs and/or mapping software. Optimized protocols and data for fingerprinting plant and bacterial genomes with the LI-COR automated system are presented.

AFLP^® is a registered trademark of Keygene N.V.