QTL Analysis using Bayesian Interval Mapping

R/qtlbim (www.qtlbim.org) provides a powerful suite of tools for model selection of the genetic architecture for traits influenced by multiple quantitative trait loci (QTL). The Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampling approach draws samples from the more probable genetic architectures. Subsequent visualization and summary provides posterior estimates of the number and location of QTL, their main and epistatic effects, and possibly interacting covariates, or GxE interactions. This document assumes some familiarity with QTL and with Bayesian methods. Good sources are Broman (2000), Yandell et al. (2007), and Yi et al. (2005). Additional information on advances in methods can be found in Yi et al. (2007a,b).