Application of Computer Software in Mapping Quantitative Trait Loci

The process of locating quantitative trait loci (QTLs) using genetic linkage maps, an ordered array of genetic markers placed along the chromosome, could be facilitated by applying e cient computer software packages. Construction of linkage maps requires that the rate of recombination be converted to distance in cM using appropriate mapping functions. However, computer software packages di er with respect to methods of computing relative distance between markers, for example, while Map Manager QT [3] does not include a mapping function and instead computes recombination frequencies in genetic linkage map, Mapmaker/QTL [2] includes a mapping function. Furthermore, Mapmaker/QTL computes the LOD score directly, whereas in Map Manager QT it has to be computed from the Likelihood ratio statistic (LRS). The purpose of this paper is to investigate the e ectiveness of Map Manager QT in comparison to Mapmaker/QTL in mapping quantitative trait loci.