Schizostylis DNA test costs
akennedy@cix.co.uk (Fri, 28 Nov 2003 02:35:00 PST)

Bill Lee was enquiring about costs and timing associated with the tests.
As this research is pretty leading edge in terms of cultivar
identification it is not cheap and we are talking significant 4 figure
sums. However as and when the processes become more common in practice
costs will drop.. Chemicals and man hours are the main cost components.
Let's face it many genera have difficult identification problems when
following normal botanical procedures. This usually results in a lot of
argument and confusion,so that any plantsman who wants to establish
certainty in his stock is going to try to achieve results using DNA
analysis.
Re time scales this particular test will have to fit in with Bioprofiles
other ongoing work but we expect results in the first quarter of 2004.
The test itself involves about 240 hours using the technique of developing
microsatellites and analysing them on a automated genetic analyser.
Successful test work has already been carried out against a small
selection of pelargonium cultivars and we are confident that we can
produce valid data.
regards Alan Kennedy
NCCPG National Collection of Schizostylis Cultivars