Molecular markers in plant genome analysis

With the advent of molecular markers, a new generation of markers has been introduced over the last two decades, which has revolutionized the entire s cenario of biological sciences. DNA-based molecular markers have acted as v ersatile tools and have found their own position in various fields like tax onomy, physiology, embryology, genetic engineering, etc. They are no longer looked upon as simple DNA fingerprinting markers in variability studies or as mere forensic tools. Ever since their development, they are constantly being modified to enhance their utility and to bring about automation in th e process of genome analysis. The discovery of PCR (polymerase chain reacti on) was a landmark in this effort and proved to be an unique process that b rought about a new class of DNA profiling markers. This facilitated the dev elopment of marker-based gene tags, map-based cloning of agronomically impo rtant genes, variability studies, phylogenetic analysis, synteny mapping, m arker-assisted selection of desirable genotypes, etc. Thus giving new dimen sions to concerted efforts of breeding and marker-aided selection that can reduce the time span of developing new and better varieties and will make t he dream of super varieties come true. These DNA markers offer several adva ntages over traditional phenotypic markers, as they provide data that can b e analysed objectively, In this article, DNA markers developed during the l ast two decades of molecular biology research and utilized for various appl ications in the area of plant genome analysis are reviewed.