SEQUENTIAL SIB-PAIR AND ASSOCIATION STUDIES TO DETECT GENES IN QUANTITATIVE TRAITS

We applied sib-pair and association methods to a GAW data set of nucle ar families with quantitative traits. Our approaches included 1) preli minary statistical studies including correlations and linear regressio ns, 2) sib-pair methods, and 3) association studies. We used a single data set to screen for linkage and association and, subsequently, addi tional data sets to confirm the preliminary results. Using this sequen tial approach, sib-pair analysis provided evidence for the genes influ encing Q1, Q2, and Q4. We correctly predicted MG1 for Q1, MG2 for Q2, and MG4 for Q4. We did not find any false positives using this approac h. Association studies identified chromosomes 8 and 9 to be associated with Q4; however these are assumed to be false positives as no associ ations were modeled into the data. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.