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Trait Dissection By Genetic And Association Mapping

 

Our major goal is to assemble and master the techniques and approaches needed to rapidly dissect the genetic architecture of complex traits and to fine-map and ultimately positionally clone the chief components of variation for important traits. Recently, we have undertaken a number of genetic mapping projects in collaboration with partners interested in specific agronomic and end use quality traits. In the future, classical linkage mapping of major genes and QTL will be complemented by what is termed linkage disequilibrium or association mapping

 

Specific projects which fall under this theme:


• A Defra LINK-funded project (“Controlling Soil-borne wheat mosaic virus in the UK by developing resistant wheat cultivars”) in partnership with CSL and wheat breeders is mapping resistance to Soil-Borne Cereal Mosaic Virus (SBCMV) in elite UK germplasm. The main role of our group in this project was in the creation of genome-wide maps for two crosses between UK wheat varieties differing in levels of resistance to SBCMV.


• In a collaboration with University of Sassari and Ancona, we have generated a barley map integrating SSAP markers showing their utility as a cost-effective, wide-coverage trait mapping tool (Rodriguez et al, in press).


• A BBSRC-funded project in partnership with SCRI and Heriot-Watt University is developing an approach called Small Cross Mapping to develop robust, broad-based QTL maps for improvement of barley malting quality (ended Feb 2006).


• A BBSRC-funded LINK project (“Association Genetics of Elite UK Barley”) in partnership with SCRI, the University of Birmingham and a large cohort of industry stakeholders which started in October 2005 aims to carry out a large-scale association study combining high-density SNP genotyping, mining of historic phenotype data from National and Recommended List Trials, as well as de novo field-based phenotyping.