Single-Feature Polymorphism (SPF)

SPF reveals detailed information about the genomic variations between/among species or different accessions of a species. The genomic DNA is hybridized to an RNA expression platform (gene chip) and single-base differences prevent the hybridization of 25 mer probes. By such a procedure, 4000 SPFs were found between the Columbia wild type and the Ler genotype Arabidopsis plants. On the basis of SPFs, gene map locations, including QTLs, can be readily identified. It can also reveal organizational differences along the chromosomes, e.g., in centromeric or telomeric tracts versus the rest of the yeast chromosomes or various functional regions. (See Borevitz JO et al 2003 Genome Res 13:513; Winzeler EA et al Genetics 163:79).