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Genome Size Estimation and Quantitative Cytogenetics in Insects

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Insect Genomics

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 1858))

Abstract

With care, it is possible using flow cytometry to create a precise and accurate estimate of the genome size of an insect that is useful for genomics, genetics, molecular/cell biology, or systematics. Genome size estimation is a useful first step in a complete genome sequencing project. The number of sequencing reads required to produce a given level of coverage depends directly upon the 1C amount of DNA per cell, while an even more critical need is an accurate 1C genome size estimate to compare against the final assembly. Here we present a detailed protocol to estimate genome size using flow cytometry. Published genome size estimates should be submitted to genomesize.com so that they are available to all.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA

    J. Spencer Johnston & Carl E. Hjelmen

  2. Interdisciplinary Program in Genetics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA

    Angelina Bernardini

Authors
  1. J. Spencer Johnston
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  2. Angelina Bernardini
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  3. Carl E. Hjelmen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Carl E. Hjelmen .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, NY, USA

    Susan J. Brown

  2. Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA

    Michael E. Pfrender

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Johnston, J.S., Bernardini, A., Hjelmen, C.E. (2019). Genome Size Estimation and Quantitative Cytogenetics in Insects. In: Brown, S., Pfrender, M. (eds) Insect Genomics. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1858. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-8775-7_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-8775-7_2

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-8774-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-8775-7

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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