A multilocus likelihood approach to joint modeling of linkage, parental diplotype and gene order in a full-sib family.
BACKGROUND
Unlike a pedigree initiated with two inbred lines, a full-sib family derived from two outbred parents frequently has many different segregation types of markers whose linkage phases are not known prior to linkage analysis.


RESULTS
We formulate a general model of simultaneously estimating linkage, parental diplotype and gene order through multi-point analysis in a full-sib family. Our model is based on a multinomial mixture model taking into account different diplotypes and gene orders, weighted by their corresponding occurring probabilities. The EM algorithm is implemented to provide the maximum likelihood estimates of the linkage, parental diplotype and gene order over any type of markers.


CONCLUSIONS
Through simulation studies, this model is found to be more computationally efficient compared with existing models for linkage mapping. We discuss the extension of the model and its implications for genome mapping in outcrossing species.
Lu
Qing
Q
Department of Statistics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611 USA. qlu@darwin.epbi.cwru.edu
Cui
Yuehua
Y
Wu
Rongling
R
D000483:Alleles; D004171:Diploidy; D023061:Gene Order; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D005819:Genetic Markers; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008957:Models, Genetic; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D011995:Recombination, Genetic
D005819:Genetic Markers