Molecular markers in genetic studies and breeding

Back in the early decades of genetics, it became clear that genetic markers may be useful in the analysis of complex traits. However, their low occurrence and a number of other disadvantages prevented the wide application of classical genetic markers, and later protein markers, in breeding. The latest generation of genetic markers (molecular or DNA markers) are characterized by frequent occurrence in the genome, and it is based on universal (and hence highly demanded and constantly developing) methods of analysis. This became the key to the rapid development of genetics and breeding areas related to the use of DNA markers. This article provides a brief overview of the main types of molecular markers and the fields of their application.