In the KeyMaps concept, AFLP® fingerprints of individual BACs and pools of BACs are generated. Based on overlapping fingerprints of the individual BACs and the genetic markers, a high-density integrated genetic and physical map is constructed.
Its Value
The KeyMaps approach has a number of unique advantages compared to other genetic mapping technologies:
assembled BAC contigs are directly linked to the genetic map;
new genetic markers can be accurately positioned on the physical map (even at individual BAC level);
the resolution of the BAC contigs is very high since each individual BAC generates more than 50 AFLP (+0/+0) fragments;
minimal tiling paths of BACs can be easily identified;
the KeyGene database management and data processing software allows user-friendly analysis and greatly facilitates further development of the genetic map.
EXAMPLES
KeyGene is applying the KeyMaps technology in a wide range of plants. Two examples are:
Solanum tuberosum (potato): in collaboration with 7 EU partners, an integrated map of potato is constructed. More than 10.000 mapped AFLP ® fragments will be connected to the corresponding BAC contigs and minimal tiling paths of BACs will be identified for future large-scale sequencing projects.
Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato): in the Dutch CBSG-consortium and in close collaboration with the US Initiative for Sequencing the Tomato Genome. BAC contigs assembled by agarose fingerprinting and subsequent FPC analysis are linked to the high-density AFLP ® genetic map and minimal tiling paths for sequencing are identified.
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