Measuring telomere length and telomere dynamics in evolutionary biology and ecology

Nussey, D. H. et al. (2014) Measuring telomere length and telomere dynamics in evolutionary biology and ecology. Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 5(4), pp. 299-310. (doi: 10.1111/2041-210X.12161)

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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.12161

Abstract

Telomeres play a fundamental role in the protection of chromosomal DNA and in the regulation of cellular senescence. Recent work in human epidemiology and evolutionary ecology suggests adult telomere length (TL) may reflect past physiological stress and predict subsequent morbidity and mortality, independent of chronological age. Several different methods have been developed to measure TL, each offering its own technical challenges. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the advantages and drawbacks of each method for researchers, with a particular focus on issues that are likely to face ecologists and evolutionary biologists collecting samples in the field or in organisms that may never have been studied in this context before. We discuss the key issues to consider and wherever possible try to provide current consensus view regarding best practice with regard to sample collection and storage, DNA extraction and storage, and the five main methods currently available to measure TL. Decisions regarding which tissues to sample, how to store them, how to extract DNA, and which TL measurement method to use cannot be prescribed, and are dependent on the biological question addressed and the constraints imposed by the study system. What is essential for future studies of telomere dynamics in evolution and ecology is that researchers publish full details of their methods and the quality control thresholds they employ.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Monaghan, Professor Pat and Boner, Dr Winnie
Authors: Nussey, D. H., Baird, D., Barrett, E., Boner, W., Fairlie, J., Gemmell, N., Hartmann, N., Horn, T., Haussmann, M., Olsson, M., Turbill, C., Verhulst, S., Zahn, S., and Monaghan, P.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Methods in Ecology and Evolution
Publisher:Wiley
ISSN:2041-210X
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2014 The Authors
First Published:First published in Methods in Ecology and Evolution 5(4):299-310
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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