Chapter 7 – Gene Mapping

Publisher Summary A genetic map is the road map of the genome with genes or loci being mileposts along the DNA highway. The ultimate genetic map is the DNA sequence of the entire genome. Today linkage maps of individual chromosomes are available through the Mouse Genome Database and the sequence of the mouse genome is available from the public sequence consortium. Genes with a known DNA sequence can be mapped simply by BLASTing the gene sequence against the sequence of the mouse genome. This chapter describes the common methods of genetic mapping and the uses of each method. It provides a guide to determine the methods of mapping. Basic definitions associated with genetic mapping are also listed in the chapter. The chapter also introduces several commonly and less commonly used methods for mapping the mouse genome and to provide basic information on how to carry out the more commonly used methods. However, using the information in the chapter, one should be able to perform basic linkage crosses to identify the chromosomal locations of new genes and their linear order on the chromosome with respect to other genes.