Genomics meets genetics: towards a mutant map of the mouse

Phenotype-driven mutagenesis approaches in the mouse will deliver a vastly expanded mouse mutant resource and can be expected to lead to the identific ation of novel genes and pathways, enabling the emergence of new insights i nto mammalian gene function. In order for this goal to be realized, develop ments in genomics need to be harnessed to progress in mouse mutagenesis. We need firstly to generate a mutant map of the mouse, devising and employing rapid methods for the genetic mapping of the growing mouse mutant resource . Secondly, we need to be able to rapidly identify and assess candidate gen es in the vicinity of the mapped mutations. Developments in mapping and gen otyping technology are described that will potentially speed the constructi on of a rich mutant map of the mouse, In addition, the benefits of comparat ive sequencing of the human and mouse genomes are reviewed. The availabilit y of both human and mouse genome sequences will underpin the evolution of a comprehensive and well annotated mammalian gene map that will significantl y enhance our ability to move rapidly from mapped mutation to the identific ation of the underlying gene.