Plant & Animal Genomes XI Conference Plant & Animal Genomes XI ConferenceJanuary 11-15, 2003
Town & Country Convention Center
San Diego, CA
Bioinformatics: Software
Computer: Poster and Demo
The goal of the Maize Mapping Project is to develop a fully integrated genetic and physical map for maize. To display the integrated mapping information, we have developed iMap, the Integrated Genetic and Physical Map Viewer. iMap has three main components: a relational database populated with genetic and physical map data; a user interface adapted from GIOT software originally developed by the Rice Genome Project, Japan; and an intermediary data retriever. The user interface combines an intuitive graphical display and a sophisticated search utility that allow the retrieval and viewing of a variety of types of mapping data. The display features side-by-side chromosomal views of the genetic map and associated BAC contigs. Users can search a locus on the displayed map and highlight loci identified by a particular genetic marker type (i.e., RFLP or SSR) or physical object type (BAC or contig). For each locus, information about genetic marker type or contig is retrieved via popup windows that feature links to external data resources, such as MaizeDB, TIGR, GenBank, and WebFPC. Other searches by genetic locus, probe, or sequence accession number generate text reports that include relevant map positions and any BAC contigs anchored to those positions. These reports also offer direct links to the graphical display of relevant chromosomes. The iMap database is updated periodically as new genetic and physical mapping data are obtained, so that the views represent the most up-to-date information for the integrated map of maize. iMap can be accessed at http://www.maizemap.org. This project is funded by NSF Plant Genome Award: DBI9872655.