Molecular Biology & Genomics Centre

Other Services


Please contact us for additional services

Validated
Assay Code AOT-051
Description Through Suppression Subtraction hybridization technique, MBG Lab has developed several species specific DNA probes for avian species, namely:
  • Chicken
  • Houbara bustard undulata
  • Duck
Houbara bustard is a wild avian species that are under the threat of extinction. The Houbara populations have declined in recent decades as the result of excessive hunting and illegal trapping. In an effort towards the conservation of the Houbara species, and also due to the scarcity of species-specific markers, MBG Lab has designed a few probes that would help us identify Houbara-DNA.

Method Real-Time PCR
Sample Type
Accredited : Tissue, semen, EDTA blood.
Transport Condition Samples should be transported at 4°C.
Turn Around Time (TAT) TAT for routine samples is within 3 working days. Samples delivered before 11:00 AM will begin processing immediately resulting in shorter TAT. Urgent Samples must be delivered before 11:00 AM and will be charged double.

Links

Validated
Assay Code See Below
Description Cytogenetics provides the basis for identification, analysis, and understanding of chromosome configuration and behavior within a species that may be of economic and/or scientific interest.

Chromosome analysis provides a "bird’s eye view" of an individual's genetic information. Missing, extra, or rearranged chromosome material may be responsible for diverse problems such as birth defects, infertility, and repeated miscarriage in animals. Chromosome karyotypes are prepared from lymphocytes of peripheral blood or tissue fibroblasts which have been isolated and cultured under proper laboratory conditions. These cells are then characterized by using a special imaging microscope. Analysis of numerical, by counting to ensure that the cells evaluated have the correct number of chromosomes, and structural, to ensure that there are no large pieces of material that are missing (deleted), extra (duplicated), or any rearranged. Comparative studies between various animals or species can then be carried out using specialized software.

It is important to realize that standard chromosome analysis may not be able to detect tiny deletions or duplications of genetic material, and will not be able to detect single-gene mutations.

FISH is considered a cytogenetic as well as a molecular technique. It depends on the use of a nucleic acid probe that hybridizes to the entire chromosome or a single unique DNA sequence. FISH helps in the detection of gains or losses in DNA as well as localization of any DNA fragment. FISH has been used as an important diagnostic tool in the identification of chromosomal abnormalities like duplications, deletions, and translocations. It can also be used for the mapping of genes on the chromosomes. The process can be compared to looking for a needle in a haystack, with the needle being the DNA sequence of interest and the haystack being a set of chromosomes. Fluorescent labeled probes (a specific sequence of nucleotides that is complementary to the DNA sequence of interest) are used as a magnet to pull out the DNA sequence from the entire spread of the chromosome.

Fertility is an important aspect of animal breeders and consequently has a high economic impact. Male fertility, however, cannot be accurately assessed using the absolute assay and traditional semen analysis. Therefore, semen samples need to be subjected to different tests which can improve the prediction of the fertility status. Simultaneous evaluation of head and tail viability, acrosome integrity, and mitochondrial function of spermatozoa permit an accurate evaluation of sperm quality and fertility status.

Tests
  • AOT-064 : Chromosomal Analysis (Karyotyping)
  • AOT-065 : Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH)
  • AOT-066 : Sperm Viability Test

Method Microscopy
Sample Type
Fresh heparin blood, Semen (for sperm viability test)
Turn Around Time (TAT) Depends on the type of sample. Kindly contact MBG Lab for further details.

Links

Validated
Assay Code AOT-061
Description Horse coat colour is important for horse breeders. Several genetically characterized genes determine the coat colour of a horse. Knowledge of potential coat colour genes in a horse would assist the breeders in the selection of offspring with preferred coat colour phenotype.
MBG Lab can help to determine the genetics of coat colour in a horse by combination of different DNA tests.

Tests
  • KIT Gene
  • Agouti Gene
  • MC1R Gene

Method DNA Sequencing
Sample Type
EDTA blood, Hair.
Transport Condition Hair samples should be transported at room temperature. Blood samples should be transported at 4°C.
Turn Around Time (TAT) Within 10 working days for normal processing.

Links

Accredited
Assay Code AOT-085
Description We have developed a real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) multiplex assay that identifies and quantifies minute amounts of mixed-species nuclear DNA of horse (Equus caballus), goat (Capra hircus)/sheep (Ovis aries), pig (Sus scrofa) and camel (Camelus dromedarius) in a species-specific manner. The assays ability to accurately detect and quantify target DNA in multi-species mixtures is crucial when the target specimen may be overwhelmed by the non-target specimen. We have evaluated the assay under different conditions so that it is applicable for investigating meat authentication and agri-food testing to ensure health and safety (this assay cannot be used for forensic purposes). The efficient determination of the species of origin will help reduce the potential risks that fraudulent/imitation and contaminated food products could pose to our food supply. Our assays ability to accurately identify and quantify species-specific DNA present in biological samples will also facilitate downstream analyses that generate DNA profiles of the specimen for genetic identity testing and traceability.

Tests
  • Camelid
  • Equine
  • Ovine/Caprine
  • Porcine
  • Bovine

Method Real-Time PCR.
Sample Type
Accredited : Milk, Milk Powder, Tissue and EDTA Blood
Transport Condition Samples should be transported at 4°C.
Turn Around Time (TAT) TAT for routine samples is within 3 working days. Samples delivered before 11:00 AM will begin processing immediately resulting in shorter TAT. Urgent Samples must be delivered before 11:00 AM and will be charged double.

Links

Validated
Assay Code See Below
Description Depending on the requirement of the customer, high-quality DNA or RNA will be extracted from animal samples. The yield will depend on the nature of the sample presented. Fresh samples are preferred over samples stored for long periods to obtain better yields. RNA is extremely sensitive and unstable unless stored under appropriate conditions. After extraction, OD analysis for purity, electrophoresis for integrity, and RT-real time PCR analysis for housekeeping genes can be performed to ensure the quality of RNA.

Tests
  • AOT-059: Nucleic acid Extraction (DNA/ RNA)
  • AOT-060: Nucleic acid Extraction with quality check (DNA/ RNA)

Method Manual or Automated methods will be used depending on the nature of the sample.
Sample Type
Please contact MBG lab for information.
Turn Around Time (TAT) TAT for routine samples is within 3 working days. Samples delivered before 11:00 AM will begin processing immediately resulting in shorter TAT. Urgent Samples must be delivered before 11:00 AM and will be charged double.

Links




Molecular Biology & Genomics Centre

Other Services


Please contact us for additional services

Validated
Assay Code AOT-051
Description Through Suppression Subtraction hybridization technique, MBG Lab has developed several species specific DNA probes for avian species, namely:
  • Chicken
  • Houbara bustard undulata
  • Duck
Houbara bustard is a wild avian species that are under the threat of extinction. The Houbara populations have declined in recent decades as the result of excessive hunting and illegal trapping. In an effort towards the conservation of the Houbara species, and also due to the scarcity of species-specific markers, MBG Lab has designed a few probes that would help us identify Houbara-DNA.

Method Real-Time PCR
Sample Type
Accredited : Tissue, semen, EDTA blood.
Transport Condition Samples should be transported at 4°C.
Turn Around Time (TAT) TAT for routine samples is within 3 working days. Samples delivered before 11:00 AM will begin processing immediately resulting in shorter TAT. Urgent Samples must be delivered before 11:00 AM and will be charged double.

Links

Validated
Assay Code See Below
Description Cytogenetics provides the basis for identification, analysis, and understanding of chromosome configuration and behavior within a species that may be of economic and/or scientific interest.

Chromosome analysis provides a "bird’s eye view" of an individual's genetic information. Missing, extra, or rearranged chromosome material may be responsible for diverse problems such as birth defects, infertility, and repeated miscarriage in animals. Chromosome karyotypes are prepared from lymphocytes of peripheral blood or tissue fibroblasts which have been isolated and cultured under proper laboratory conditions. These cells are then characterized by using a special imaging microscope. Analysis of numerical, by counting to ensure that the cells evaluated have the correct number of chromosomes, and structural, to ensure that there are no large pieces of material that are missing (deleted), extra (duplicated), or any rearranged. Comparative studies between various animals or species can then be carried out using specialized software.

It is important to realize that standard chromosome analysis may not be able to detect tiny deletions or duplications of genetic material, and will not be able to detect single-gene mutations.

FISH is considered a cytogenetic as well as a molecular technique. It depends on the use of a nucleic acid probe that hybridizes to the entire chromosome or a single unique DNA sequence. FISH helps in the detection of gains or losses in DNA as well as localization of any DNA fragment. FISH has been used as an important diagnostic tool in the identification of chromosomal abnormalities like duplications, deletions, and translocations. It can also be used for the mapping of genes on the chromosomes. The process can be compared to looking for a needle in a haystack, with the needle being the DNA sequence of interest and the haystack being a set of chromosomes. Fluorescent labeled probes (a specific sequence of nucleotides that is complementary to the DNA sequence of interest) are used as a magnet to pull out the DNA sequence from the entire spread of the chromosome.

Fertility is an important aspect of animal breeders and consequently has a high economic impact. Male fertility, however, cannot be accurately assessed using the absolute assay and traditional semen analysis. Therefore, semen samples need to be subjected to different tests which can improve the prediction of the fertility status. Simultaneous evaluation of head and tail viability, acrosome integrity, and mitochondrial function of spermatozoa permit an accurate evaluation of sperm quality and fertility status.

Tests
  • AOT-064 : Chromosomal Analysis (Karyotyping)
  • AOT-065 : Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH)
  • AOT-066 : Sperm Viability Test

Method Microscopy
Sample Type
Fresh heparin blood, Semen (for sperm viability test)
Turn Around Time (TAT) Depends on the type of sample. Kindly contact MBG Lab for further details.

Links

Validated
Assay Code AOT-061
Description Horse coat colour is important for horse breeders. Several genetically characterized genes determine the coat colour of a horse. Knowledge of potential coat colour genes in a horse would assist the breeders in the selection of offspring with preferred coat colour phenotype.
MBG Lab can help to determine the genetics of coat colour in a horse by combination of different DNA tests.

Tests
  • KIT Gene
  • Agouti Gene
  • MC1R Gene

Method DNA Sequencing
Sample Type
EDTA blood, Hair.
Transport Condition Hair samples should be transported at room temperature. Blood samples should be transported at 4°C.
Turn Around Time (TAT) Within 10 working days for normal processing.

Links

Accredited
Assay Code AOT-085
Description We have developed a real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) multiplex assay that identifies and quantifies minute amounts of mixed-species nuclear DNA of horse (Equus caballus), goat (Capra hircus)/sheep (Ovis aries), pig (Sus scrofa) and camel (Camelus dromedarius) in a species-specific manner. The assays ability to accurately detect and quantify target DNA in multi-species mixtures is crucial when the target specimen may be overwhelmed by the non-target specimen. We have evaluated the assay under different conditions so that it is applicable for investigating meat authentication and agri-food testing to ensure health and safety (this assay cannot be used for forensic purposes). The efficient determination of the species of origin will help reduce the potential risks that fraudulent/imitation and contaminated food products could pose to our food supply. Our assays ability to accurately identify and quantify species-specific DNA present in biological samples will also facilitate downstream analyses that generate DNA profiles of the specimen for genetic identity testing and traceability.

Tests
  • Camelid
  • Equine
  • Ovine/Caprine
  • Porcine
  • Bovine

Method Real-Time PCR.
Sample Type
Accredited : Milk, Milk Powder, Tissue and EDTA Blood
Transport Condition Samples should be transported at 4°C.
Turn Around Time (TAT) TAT for routine samples is within 3 working days. Samples delivered before 11:00 AM will begin processing immediately resulting in shorter TAT. Urgent Samples must be delivered before 11:00 AM and will be charged double.

Links

Validated
Assay Code See Below
Description Depending on the requirement of the customer, high-quality DNA or RNA will be extracted from animal samples. The yield will depend on the nature of the sample presented. Fresh samples are preferred over samples stored for long periods to obtain better yields. RNA is extremely sensitive and unstable unless stored under appropriate conditions. After extraction, OD analysis for purity, electrophoresis for integrity, and RT-real time PCR analysis for housekeeping genes can be performed to ensure the quality of RNA.

Tests
  • AOT-059: Nucleic acid Extraction (DNA/ RNA)
  • AOT-060: Nucleic acid Extraction with quality check (DNA/ RNA)

Method Manual or Automated methods will be used depending on the nature of the sample.
Sample Type
Please contact MBG lab for information.
Turn Around Time (TAT) TAT for routine samples is within 3 working days. Samples delivered before 11:00 AM will begin processing immediately resulting in shorter TAT. Urgent Samples must be delivered before 11:00 AM and will be charged double.

Links