Karyotypic Analysis of Blarina brevicauda & B. carolinen

[b_d_41501]

I am doing an independent research project this summer on various species of Shrews found in Eastern Kentucky. I am doing karyotypic analysis on captured species and I was wondering if anyone had various techniques that could pass along to help aid me in this study. Thanks in advance. The title should read "Karyotypic Analysis of Blarina brevicauda & B. carolinensis" but it cut the end off.

[biostudent84]

May I ask what level of research this is? The cost of Karyotypes run in the thousands of dollars to perform.

With most karyotypes, a computer usually sorts and orders the chromosomes in order of decreasing size.

[b_d_41501]

See that's the thing. I go to a private college, Pikeville College, so we do not get offered a lot of money for research. It would be ideal to do it the easy way but it takes tons of cash. My professor said we could do it using a microscope but this would take forever!! Is there any sort of "cheaper" way to sort the chromosomes using a "cheaper" program such as the type you mentioned?

[b_d_41501]

Does anyone else have any ideas? I have to start running samples soon and I do not want to do it the hard way if at all possible.

[MrMistery]

Sorry i looked in my 12th grade genetics book and the only way that is stated there is the expensive one. Sorry

[b_d_41501]

I have like over 50+ samples to run too. Time to now crawl into a cave and cry.

[MrMistery]

You could do it with an optical microscope though... All it takes is nerves of steel

[b_d_41501]

Yeah, i'm afraid I don't have them though. lol