SSRPrimer and SSR Taxonomy Tree: Biome SSR discovery

Nucleic Acids Res. 2006 Jul 1;34(Web Server issue):W656-9. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkl083.

Abstract

Simple sequence repeat (SSR) molecular genetic markers have become important tools for a broad range of applications such as genome mapping and genetic diversity studies. SSRs are readily identified within DNA sequence data and PCR primers can be designed for their amplification. These PCR primers frequently cross amplify within related species. We report a web-based tool, SSR Primer, that integrates SPUTNIK, an SSR repeat finder, with Primer3, a primer design program, within one pipeline. On submission of multiple FASTA formatted sequences, the script screens each sequence for SSRs using SPUTNIK. Results are then parsed to Primer3 for locus specific primer design. We have applied this tool for the discovery of SSRs within the complete GenBank database, and have designed PCR amplification primers for over 13 million SSRs. The SSR Taxonomy Tree server provides web-based searching and browsing of species and taxa for the visualisation and download of these SSR amplification primers. These tools are available at http://bioinformatics.pbcbasc.latrobe.edu.au/ssrdiscovery.html.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Classification
  • DNA Primers*
  • Databases, Nucleic Acid
  • Genetic Markers
  • Internet
  • Microsatellite Repeats*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction*
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA / methods
  • Software*
  • User-Computer Interface

Substances

  • DNA Primers
  • Genetic Markers