Cost-effective library preparation for whole genome sequencing with feather DNA

Samples from avian species of high conservation concern are often low in
total genomic DNA (gDNA).  Feathers are collected more frequently
than blood, yet they contain low total gDNA which can present challenges
in using them for genomics. Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) can provide many
insights that can be used to aid in species conservation, but current
methods for working with feathers are cost prohibitive for population
level genomic analyses.  Thus, there is a need for a
cost-effective method of preparing WGS libraries from feathers. To bridge
the gap between sampling techniques commonly used in avian conservation
genetics that yield low total gDNA and the powerful tool of WGS, we
developed a method that successfully produces WGS libraries from feather
gDNA with as low input as 0.48 ng of DNA and an average final library size
of 300-500 base pairs.  Sequencing results suggest high
sequencing quality using our protocol with feather DNA.  We
conclude that our method will facilitate high-throughput WGS on low total
gDNA samples, like feathers, thus expanding the power of genomic tools in
critical avian conservation research.