Assessment of relative telomere length using qPCR: advantages and disadvantages of this method and shortcomings of commonly used reference markers

Telomeres, the ends of eucaryotic chromosomes, consist of tandem repeated sequences, play important role in protection of chromosomal ends. In somatic cells telomeres are getting shorter with each cell division. Telomere length (TL) is directly related to cellular ageing (senescence). The rate of telomere shortening as well as ageing is individual and it differs among species and also among individuals. To the main factors, which can affect the rate of telomere shortening, belong stress, diseases, reproduction or also environmental conditions. Many methods could be used for TL determination. Each of them has its own limitation, which is good to know to be able to avoid the negative impacts on results. qPCR is currently the most used method. The most important factor, which could affect the results, is that qPCR measures besides proper telomeres also interstitial telomeric sequences. Furthermore, the choice of suitable reference marker followed by designing of highly specific primers is also crucial, if qPCR is used. Nevertheless, qPCR is suitable method especially because it offers fast and inexpensive relative TL measurement of large amount samples. My bachelor thesis is moreover a review of studies focused on telomere dynamics in birds and causes which influence different senescence measured by TL...