Swine in Biomedical Research Conference 2005, Chicago, IL. Abstract GC6.
Comparative mapping information can be effectively utilized for the identification of candidate genes associated with genetically complex phenotypes. The successful use of such information relies upon the construction of a detailed genome map determining segments of conserved synteny and gene order, as well as evolutionary breakpoints. The recent availability of the complete human genome sequence and thousands of homologous porcine sequences provides a tremendous resource for the construction of such a map of the porcine genome. Using the INRA-Minnesota porcine Radiation Hybrid (IMpRH) panel, we have constructed a radiation hybrid map composed of nearly 2,274 markers, including 206 ESTs and 2,068 porcine BAC-end sequences. The average spacing between comparative anchor loci is 1.15 Mb based on human genome sequence. This radiation hybrid map has the highest resolution of any porcine genome map to date, and should greatly facilitate the positional cloning of porcine genes influencing complex traits. An increased understanding of the molecular basis of these traits should prove valuable for comparative biology and the development of porcine models.