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Details of the Evolutionary Biology Unit's Allozyme Electrophoresis Service

The South Australian Museumâs Evolutionary Biology Unit (EBU) offers allozyme electrophoresis as a fee-for-service to biological and medical researchers. Allozyme electrophoresis is one of the most powerful techniques in molecular systematics (see Hillis et al. (1996) and Avise (1994) for a discussion of the relative merits of the various molecular technologies) and can provide important genetic information in the following applications:-

• paternity/maternity testing,

• genetic monitoring of inbred and outbred strains of laboratory animal as a means of detecting contamination events,

• testing the genetic identity of tissue cultures, protozoan isolates or bacterial isolates,

• rapid identification of species from tissue types where the taxonomic key cannot be applied (ie cryptic larval forms; meat/fish substitutions etc),

• assessing the extent of inbreeding in closed populations,

• the genetic analysis of population structure in natural populations,

• determining the number of species involved in species complexes (including situations where no apparent taxonomic problems exist), and

• the reconstruction of evolutionary relationships amongst populations and species.

The theory and principles behind the technique are presented in detail by Richardson et al. (1986).

A wide range of over 60 enzymes (and some other proteins) can be screened for allelic variation. In most organisms these enzymes are encoded by more than a single gene locus, thus increasing the number of genetic markers examined. However, not all enzymes will be testable in any one organism or project.

The costs of allozyme analysis are usually insignificant when compared to the total cost of any research programme (particularly where fieldwork is involved). Funds generated by this work are used to cover the costs of consumables for the project and to employ the additional staff necessary to enable us to carry out the work. The service is not intended to generate profit for the Museum.

The charges for electrophoretic screening cover two areas:-

• Sample preparation (removal, homogenization, centrifugation, supernatant preparation and storage).

• Electrophoresis The charges are worked out on a fee-for-service basis and include the labour costs involved. (It is important to note that some fixed set-up costs are incurred, regardless of the number of samples loaded onto a gel. This is reflected in the charges.)

The current charges are (as of May, 2000 and subject to review every two years):-

• Sample preparation: $5 per tissue screened

• Electrophoresis/Analysis: $50 set-up costs per enzyme marker, plus 50c per sample to a maximum of 50 samples per gel

It is important to discuss the aims and requirements of any project before proceeding with the collection of samples. The Evolutionary Biology Unit has had considerable experience in determining project feasibility and efficient sampling strategies.

For further information or advice please contact Mark Adams on 08-82077305 (email adams.mark@saugov.sa.gov.au) or write care of the Evolutionary Biology Unit, SA Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA. 5000 (FAX 08-82077222).

References

Avise, J. C. (1994). ÎMolecular Markers, Natural History and Evolution.â (Chapman and Hall: New York.) 511 pp.

Hillis, D. M., Mabel, B. K., and Moritz, C. (1996). Applications of molecular systematics. In ÎMolecular Systematics.â (Eds D. M. Hillis, C. Moritz, and B. K. Mabel) pp. 515-543 (Sinauer Associates: Sunderland.)

Richardson, B. J., Baverstock, P. R., and Adams, M. (1986). ÎAllozyme Electrophoresis: A Handbook for Animal Systematics and Population Studies.â (Academic Press: Sydney.) 410 pp.