Hi all, A couple of weeks ago I posted a question about companies to outsource microsat development to. I want to thank everyone who took the time to respond. It was very helpful! Here is a list of the different options I found: Cornell University The Evolutionary Genetics Core Facility (EGCF) at Cornell University is offering construction and screening of genomic DNA libraries for microsatellite loci, as a service to the evolutionary community. Total cost for this service is USD 4300 per library, which includes all construction, screening, and guaranteed discovery of 32 unique clones containing SSRs. For details, see the EvolDir post from Oct 2, or contact Steve Bogdanowicz smb31@cornell.edu, 607-254-4297, 254-4286. Ecogenics Offers any chosen stage of microsat development. Construction of a genomic library with at least 50 SSR containing colonies costs EUR 7140. Development of a set of five markers with at least four alleles per locus in 15 unrelated individuals costs EUR 10 540, and additional markers are EUR 680 each. www.ecogenics.ch Genetic ID Services, GIS Constructs genomic libraries with 350 to 700 bp fragments, enriched for different microsatellite motifs in each of four libraries, in E. coli, with sequences that confirm the presence of at least 50% microsatellites in at least two of the libraries. Includes 100 sequences with primer design. Costs USD 10 000 for one species and a small discount is offered if more than one library is ordered. http://www.genetic-id-services.com/library.htm University of Georgia Offers construction of genomic libraries (>25% positive clones) or complete microsat marker development. The price for constructing a genomic library is USD 5750. If screening for polymorphism is also ordered, the price is in total USD 10 000 (testing 20 primer pairs on 15 individuals). Substantial discounts are offered if more than one species is ordered (for example, two species cost USD 17 000). http://www.uga.edu/srel/Msat_Devmt/Microsatellite_Development.htm Lakehead University May offer non-advanced microsat development upon request. For details, contact renee.fratpietro@lakeheadu.ca Do it yourself – a faster protocol A new strategy for microsat development is described in Leese et al (2008) Isolation of microsatellites from unknown genomes using known genomes as enrichment templates. Limnol. Oceanogr.: Methods 6, 412–426. Using this protocol and a template sequence from a distantly related species, development of microsat markers may be faster and cheaper. Sofia Hemmilä Program in Evolutionary Functional Genomics Evolutionary Biology Centre Uppsala University Norbyvägen 18D 752 36 UPPSALA SWEDEN Phone: +46 (0)18 471 64 08