T3+DNA+Barcoding+Background

=How do we identify living organisms? =

 What distinguishes a frog from a dog? We have been identifying living organisms since the times of Aristotle (384-322BC) by there most accessible characteristic - the way they look. Taxonomy, the method of grouping species by their physical characteristics, has limited our ability to refine this identification, especially between visually similar organisms. It is a highly specific study where scientists devote their lives to one order of life, limiting the access of this information to the few living beings with this specified knowledge. The newly developed method of DNA barcoding has allowed us to hone in on the intricacies of life, identifying and discerning organisms on a molecular level and storing the information in a data-bank accessible to the entire world. = = =What is DNA Barcoding? =
 * According to Consortium to the Barcode of Life, DNA barcoding is a "technique for characterizing species of organisms using a short DNA sequence from a standard and agreed-upon position in the genome"
 * In order to identify an organism, we can amplify and sequence a specific area of each organism's genome and provide a specific barcode, a unique identity for each organism.
 * DNA barcoding allows scientists to classify species with a small sample that is undefinable using just the human eye.


 * To read further into the wonders of DNA barcoding visit:
 * http://www.loomischaffee.org/file.cfm?resourceid=10257&filename=BarcodeScientificAmerican%2E2008%2E10%2Epdf
 * http://ibol.org/



media type="youtube" key="iOs6rI2Dtbs" height="390" width="640" align="center"

__**Other Pages**__ include component="page" page="T3 Index" editable="1"