DEco-TILLING: an inexpensive method for single nucleotide polymorphism discovery that reduces ascertainment bias

Genetic markers that measure DNA variation are important for population genetics research, resource management and other applications. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) are becoming a popular marker because they are abundant and because rapid and efficient assays can be developed to detect them. However, with the exception of a few organisms, most species have little DNA sequence information available and relatively few SNPs have been developed for species that lack sequence data. Methods to find SNPs can be expensive and incorporate substantial ascertainment bias, which may result in failure to discover SNPs that are useful or efficient for addressing specific questions. We have developed a system to detect SNPs that we call DEco-TILLING, which is derived from Eco-TILLING (targeting induced local lesions in genomes). The DEco-TILLING method facilitates the development of useful genotyping assays rapidly and inexpensively and can reduce ascertainment bias.