GeneLink: a database to facilitate genetic studies of complex traits.
BACKGROUND
In contrast to gene-mapping studies of simple Mendelian disorders, genetic analyses of complex traits are far more challenging, and high quality data management systems are often critical to the success of these projects. To minimize the difficulties inherent in complex trait studies, we have developed GeneLink, a Web-accessible, password-protected Sybase database.


RESULTS
GeneLink is a powerful tool for complex trait mapping, enabling genotypic data to be easily merged with pedigree and extensive phenotypic data. Specifically designed to facilitate large-scale (multi-center) genetic linkage or association studies, GeneLink securely and efficiently handles large amounts of data and provides additional features to facilitate data analysis by existing software packages and quality control. These include the ability to download chromosome-specific data files containing marker data in map order in various formats appropriate for downstream analyses (e.g., GAS and LINKAGE). Furthermore, an unlimited number of phenotypes (either qualitative or quantitative) can be stored and analyzed. Finally, GeneLink generates several quality assurance reports, including genotyping success rates of specified DNA samples or success and heterozygosity rates for specified markers.


CONCLUSIONS
GeneLink has already proven an invaluable tool for complex trait mapping studies and is discussed primarily in the context of our large, multi-center study of hereditary prostate cancer (HPC). GeneLink is freely available at http://research.nhgri.nih.gov/genelink.
Gillanders
Elizabeth M
EM
Cancer Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-8000, USA. lgilland@mail.nih.gov <lgilland@mail.nih.gov>
Masiello
Anthony
A
Gildea
Derek
D
Umayam
Lowell
L
Duggal
Priya
P
Jones
Mary Pat
MP
Klein
Alison P
AP
Freas-Lutz
Diana
D
Ibay
Grace
G
Trout
Ken
K
Wolfsberg
Tyra G
TG
Trent
Jeffrey M
JM
Bailey-Wilson
Joan E
JE
Baxevanis
Andreas D
AD
D000483:Alleles; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D030541:Databases, Genetic / Q000639:trends*; D008040:Genetic Linkage / Q000235:genetics; D005819:Genetic Markers / Q000235:genetics; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D015810:Linkage Disequilibrium / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D020412:Multifactorial Inheritance / Q000235:genetics*; D010375:Pedigree; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D012984:Software; D012985:Software Design
D017931:DNA Primers; D005819:Genetic Markers