Title: "Introduction to Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) Mapping in an Experimental Population"
Speaker: R.W. Doerge, Department of Statistics and Department of Agronomy, Purdue University
Place: LILY G126; February 3, 2009, Tuesday, 4:30pm

Abstract

This is a two part lecture introducing the main concepts involved in locating quantitative trait loci (QTL). The first lecture will set the stage for the second lecture by introducing the general ideas, history, and statistical concepts underlying the location of quantitative trait loci (QTL). The second lecture February 10, 2009 will introduce novel concepts of combining QTL methodology with microarray technology for the purpose of locating expression QTL (eQTL).

There is increasing interest in understanding the molecular basis of complex traits. Initially, the genetic dissection of quantitative traits involved measurements of gross phenotypes (e.g., yield, disease resistance, etc.). More recently, the underlying mechanisms of inheritance have been studied through various approaches that are supported by modern technological and methodological advances, namely quantitative trait locus/loci (QTL) analysis in genetics and gene expression analysis in genomics. Since different technologies and approaches focus on specific pieces of a larger, poorly understood biological system, the challenge is to integrate these different types of information to elucidate the genetic architecture of complex traits. We have attempted to address one of these challenges in Arabidopsis by combining QTL analysis with microarray data in an attempt to characterize the genomic architecture that controls quantitative traits.

Recommended Reading:
R.W. Doerge. 2002. Mapping and analysis of quantitative trait loci in experimental populations. Nature Reviews Genetics. 3:43-52.



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