GENOMAP - A DISTRIBUTED SYSTEM FOR UNIFYING GENOTYPING AND GENETIC-LINKAGE ANALYSIS

This paper describes GenoMap, an integrated, parallel/distributed comp uting software system that aids in large-scale gene linkage mapping st udies, This problem requires data from heterogeneous, distributed sour ces. In addition, the users of the system are researchers spanning a w ide range of cultures, and represent a broad range of computing needs. A distributed, heterogeneous solution addresses most of the primary c hallenges, but presents its own difficulties. The key elements of Geno Map are provided by way of a web-based set of interactive Java applets and applications, as well as a small number of native applications, w ith automated load-balancing support for sharing computationally inten sive tasks among a collection of distributed UNIX workstations. While computationally intensive tasks are supported on the most appropriate systems, users are able to conduct most of their work in familiar MacO S and Windows/PC environments through the use of a Java-enabled web br owser. We also describe GenoScape, a C & X-Windows/UNIX native applica tion for robust genotyping of a wide range of electrophoresis gel form ats. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.