STSs can be easily detected by the
polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific
primers. For this reason they are useful for constructing
genetic and physical maps from sequence data reported from many different laboratories. They serve as landmarks on the developing
physical map of a genome. When STS
loci contain genetic polymorphisms (e.g. simple sequence length polymorphisms,
SSLPs, single nucleotide polymorphisms), they become valuable genetic markers, i.e. loci which can be used to distinguish individuals. They are used in
shotgun sequencing, specifically to aid
sequence assembly. STSs are very helpful for detecting microdeletions in some genes. For example, some STSs can be used in screening by
PCR to detect microdeletions in
Azoospermia (AZF)
genes in
infertile men. ==References==