Genome size quantification

[tboothby]

Please forgive me if this has been addressed else where (and please point me to that discussion) or if this seems like a simplistic question.

What are the various methods for predicting genome size prior to sequencing? The lab I am in is interested in sequencing the genome of the fern we study, but we are afraid the genome size and ploidy might confound issues (E.g. having to use several Illumina lanes instead of 1).

If anyone has prior experience with such quantifications I would appreciate your input.

cheers,
T

[HESmith]

Flow cytometry is an old-school method for size estimation of nuclear genomes; you should be able to fine a large number of publications that use this technique.

-Harold