Insect phylogenetics using PCR-based enrichment probes
This project includes several studies on the phylogenetics and evolution of different groups. In all of them, we have obtained the molecular data by using the same methodology. The method consists in preparing samples for Illumina sequencing, and enriching those samples for a subset of genes of interest. For enrichment, we developed custom DNA probes in the lab by using PCR in a reference sample and transforming the PCR product into an enrichment probe by ligating a biotinylated oligonucleotide. This technique was applied on different groups of insects and to target different gene regions, and in each study we evaluate its success.