A microsatellite is a tract of repeated DNA motifs. Its length varies from one to ten nucleotides. Typically, it is repeated 5-50 times and is distributed throughout the human genome. Microsatellites are found in most eukaryotes. They are distributed throughout the whole genome of an organism at thousands of locations. Microsatellites find applications in the fields of genetic fingerprinting, DNA profiling and kinship analysis. Plant breeding and population genetics are some of the upcoming areas of interest within this field. This book includes some of the vital pieces of work being conducted across the world, on various topics related to microsatellite markers. Also included herein is a detailed explanation of the various concepts and applications of microsatellite markers. This book is appropriate for students seeking detailed information in this area as well as for experts.
