Characteristics of genetic markers: Technical demands

RFLPs, minisatellites and manual PCR sequencing require higher technical skills and facilities for analysis. RFLP and minisatellite analyses require Southern blot hybridizations and may include radioactive labeling. This calls for expertise and exclusive facilities needed to comply with special legal and safety requirements. These technologies are therefore among the most technically demanding markers. Another type of technical demand arises from the use of polyacrylamide gels and automated equipment. Allozymes and PCR-based markers analyzed on agarose gels (e.g. RAPD, SCAR and microsatellites) are the least technically demanding.