Capillary Electrophoresis of DNA from Cannabis sativa for Correlation of Samples to Geographic Origin

Abstract

For routine genetic analysis of Cannabis sativa, two methods are currently in use, (a) AFLP; amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis and (b) STR; short tandem repeat analysis. The AFLP method used on capillary electrophoresis instrumentation is fully described in this chapter. AFLP analysis generates numerous nonspecific marker fragments for a complex DNA pattern and is available in kit format for quality assurance of reagents. This method is particularly useful when discerning the genetics of highly inbred plant species that may share much of the same DNA with only slight differences due to their common genetic background. AFLP analysis, however, is most effective on fresh or well-preserved plant specimens where the integrity of the DNA is high and the sample is a single source specimen (i.e., not a mixture of plants or different species).