Plant & Animal Genomes XIV Conference

January 14-18, 2006
Town & Country Convention Center
San Diego, CA

High Throughput Genotyping Enabling Rapid Construction Of Whole Genome Radiation Hybrid Maps

Stephanie D. McKay¹ , Stephen S. Moore¹ , Brenda M. Murdoch¹ , Zhiquan Wang¹ , John L. Williams²

¹  Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada

²  Division of Genetics and Genomics, Roslin Institute (Edinburgh), Midlothian, Scotland, EH25 9PS UK

High-density maps of genomes are essential for determining the relative positions of genes or markers in the genome. This is valuable information that can be used to aid the correct assembly of genome sequences. Therefore, we investigated the use of the Illumina® BeadStation to simultaneously genotype large numbers of polymorphic markers on the Roslin-Cambridge 3000 Rad bovine-hamster whole genome radiation hybrid (WGRH3000) panel. In a single multiplex reaction, 384 ESTs sequences were successfully typed on the RH panel DNA, these sequences contained single nucleotide polymorphisms that are being used in genetic studies. Using conventional approaches, the time consuming and expensive part of creating high density RH-maps is genotyping the markers on the RH panel. However, using the high throughput approach described here, it would possible to generate a high-density map of an entire mammalian genome in a matter of days, and at a fraction of the cost of conventional methods. Given the success of this investigation we are creating a high density bovine RH map that will be used to aid the final bovine genome sequence assembly.