title: A comparative map viewer integrating genetic maps for Brassica and Arabidopsis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Molecular genetic maps provide a means to link heritable traits with underlying genome sequence variation. Several genetic maps have been constructed for Brassica species, yet to date, there has been no simple means to compare this information or to associate mapped traits with the genome sequence of the related model plant, Arabidopsis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We have developed a comparative genetic map database for the viewing, comparison and analysis of Brassica and Arabidopsis genetic, physical and trait map information. This web-based tool allows users to view and compare genetic and physical maps, search for traits and markers, and compare genetic linkage groups within and between the amphidiploid and diploid Brassica genomes. The inclusion of Arabidopsis data enables comparison between Brassica maps that share no common markers. Analysis of conserved syntenic blocks between Arabidopsis and collated Brassica genetic maps validates the application of this system. This tool is freely available over the internet on http://bioinformatics.pbcbasc.latrobe.edu.au/cmap.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This database enables users to interrogate the relationship between Brassica genetic maps and the sequenced genome of A. thaliana, permitting the comparison of genetic linkage groups and mapped traits and the rapid identification of candidate genes.
authors.affiliation: Plant Biotechnology Centre, Primary Industries Research Victoria, Department of Primary Industries, Victorian AgriBiosciences Centre, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia. Geraldine.Lim@dpi.vic.gov.au
authors.forename: Geraldine A C
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Erica G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Jewell
authors.forename: Xi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Timothy A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Erwin
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Love
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Batley
authors.forename: German
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Spangenberg
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Edwards
mesh_terms: D017360:Arabidopsis / Q000235:genetics*; D001937:Brassica / Q000235:genetics*; D002874:Chromosome Mapping / Q000379:methods*; D032461:Chromosomes, Plant / Q000235:genetics*; D019295:Computational Biology / Q000379:methods; D030541:Databases, Genetic; D018745:Genome, Plant; D012984:Software; D026801:Synteny