Genetic basis of quantitative variation

Dr. P.D. Keightley

Genetic variation for traits that vary continuously is of central importance to evolution, animal and plant breeding, and medicine. Recently, high- density molecular marker maps have become available for many species, and genetic analysis coupled with the maps is now beginning to shed light on the nature of continuous variation. We are using the mouse as a model species to study quantitative trait loci with large effects in a variety of growth-related traits. Projects are available to investigate the genetic basis of differences in growth rate, fatness and food intake, with mouse selection lines maintained in this laboratory and at the nearby Roslin Institute that differ many-fold for the traits. The projects will give experience of molecular-based gene finding techniques, and statistical and computing software.

References

Rance K A et al. (1997). Mapping quantitative trait loci for body weight on the X chromosome in mice. II. Analysis of congenic backcrosses. Genetical Research 70: 125-133.

Keightley P D, Morris K H, Ishikawa A, Falconer V M and Oliver F (1998) Test of candidate gene-quantitative trait locus association applied to fatness in mice. Heredity 81: 630-637.

Keightley P D & Knott S A (1999) Testing the correspondence between map positions of quantitative trait loci. Genetical Research 74: 323-328.