Plant barcoding
Abstract
Scientists all over the world are sequencing plant DNA for criminal, medical, and general knowledge. The goal is to obtain a leaf of a plant and, in the end, receive the scientific name. With the scientific name, further research can be conducted to find the sought-after information. With a public database of all of these sequences and correlating information, scientists can gather data more efficiently and people can help understand biodiversity (De Vere et al., 2015). Sequencing plant DNA includes laboratory techniques such as DNA extraction, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), gel electrophoresis, and Sanger Sequencing. Research in our laboratory proved to have a difficult time with primers and DNA degradation, however, I was able to obtain the correct sequence for six plants found on Oklahoma State University's campus: Chionanthus retusus (from two separate plants), Pseudosasa japonica, Dichondra occidentalis, Jasminum nudiflorum, and Spiraea thunbergia.