Subspecies - DNA Identification

[Netsurfer]

Does anyone know is subspecies DNA identification available anywhere in Australia? MDS does the DNA sexing but not subspecies.

[mickw]

Pretty sure Aussie Museum are working on it.....et al ........massive job though......I'd reckon finches would be down the list of priorities.....though Sarah Pryke (STGF- now ANU) was doing some I think

[E Orix]

Because of the cost only an Educational Facility or Govt. Dept could handle it

[murf]

Had made a similar request to ??(forget the company name) a number of years ago. This was when I was in the quest for the 3 different star families. Was told that around $1000-1500 per bird. Wasn't able to talk them into making a contribution to aviculture though, although the salesman sounded keen. That was as far as I progressed. With advances in technology these days, cost maybe less, but I think companies doing DNA might have this sought of valuable information, a genetic library, as a low priority.

[Myzomela]

The best bet would be if a PhD student in molecular genetics could get funding in this area, perhaps with the support of the museums etc.
But as you say, unless a researcher has a particular interest- and funding- it would be a low priority.

I do believe there was some work being done by the museums, possibly Dr Les Christidis, on parrots eg determining the purity of golden-shouldered parrots and also differences between the various rosella species/subspecies/races.

[Netsurfer]

Had made a similar request to ??(forget the company name) a number of years ago. This was when I was in the quest for the 3 different star families. Was told that around $1000-1500 per bird. Wasn't able to talk them into making a contribution to aviculture though, although the salesman sounded keen. That was as far as I progressed. With advances in technology these days, cost maybe less, but I think companies doing DNA might have this sought of valuable information, a genetic library, as a low priority.

From what I read it's apparently similar to the DNA sexing, and it only costs about $16 per bird with the "MDS Australia" I can't see why would anyone charge much more than that, however some companies charge for DNA sexing up to $250 or more for the same thing. One of the comments I read says it can't be done simply because many scientists do not recognize subspecies http://falconryforum.co.uk/archive/inde ... 38025.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The best bet would be if a PhD student in molecular genetics could get funding in this area, perhaps with the support of the museums etc.
But as you say, unless a researcher has a particular interest- and funding- it would be a low priority.

I do believe there was some work being done by the museums, possibly Dr Les Christidis, on parrots eg determining the purity of golden-shouldered parrots and also differences between the various rosella species/subspecies/races.

I have been donating birds to the Museum for a very long time, the person in-charge that I knew has retired I believe, but the new curator will know, I've already sent her an email, I will know in a day or so!

[spanna]

I don't think that DNA sequencing would be all that similar to DNA sexing. The process is much, much longer, as it involves checking individual genes, not just the chromosomes. Have seen it done on plant species, and by god, it was a lot of information. Very expensive as the instruments required are expensive themselves, and the process is very long, as is the analysing of the results. Definitely a good Ph.D. project for someone somewhere though...

[Netsurfer]

I don't think that DNA sequencing would be all that similar to DNA sexing. The process is much, much longer, as it involves checking individual genes, not just the chromosomes. Have seen it done on plant species, and by god, it was a lot of information. Very expensive as the instruments required are expensive themselves, and the process is very long, as is the analyzing of the results. Definitely a good Ph.D. project for someone somewhere though...

Well, you'd think since we live in the 21 century nowadays all this is done by the computers and you get the results on the screen almost immediately!

[spanna]

That's what I thought, but when I saw the work being done, wasn't so!!

[finchbreeder]

Just sent my daughter a query as to this being too advanced for an honours project, or not. She just needs someone at Murdoch or UWA who is willing to let her do it. She did well in Genetics and Animal Biology so it is her field, sort of.
LML