GENE-MAPPING STRATEGY - THE PIG AS AN EXA MPLE

Gene mapping of economically important animal species involves first d efining a network of genetic markers evenly spaced along the genome, s ome of which should be precisely localized on the chromosomes. Of the different sources of polymorphism available on the genome, microsatell ites are the most interesting. They are highly polymorphic, spread alo ng the genome and their study can be automated. This knowledge will pr ovide new tools and need the development of new concepts in the fields of quantitative and population genetics. The first expected applicati ons are: an early evalution of genotypes; the discovery of genome regi ons involved in the variability of quantitative characters; an improve ment of the methods of animal identification and relationship verifica tion; and an estimation of breed genetic diversity. The analysis of th e genome coding parts completes this marker network. It allows differe nt mammalian genomes to be compared and information concerning the hum an map to be used. The final goal is to isolate genes important for an imal production.