Oct. 24-26, 2009, Yingjie Overseas Exchange Center, Peking University, Beijing, China中文版

QTL Mapping and Genetics Basis of Adaptation

Zhao-Bang Zeng

Department of Genetics and Department of Statistics, North Carolina State University, USA

Abstract

What is the genetic basis associated with response to selection in natural populations? This is a very important question in evolutionary biology. By using quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping, we can locate genetic loci that are responsible to adaptation exhibited in differences between populations and species. Through mapping and particularly subsequent cloning of genes, we can learn great deal about the genetic basis of adaptation. Also by estimating the pattern and distribution of QTL effects and epistasis, we can gain some insight about the level and pattern of selection during the adaptation process. A few QTL studies that contain interesting information about this question will be discussed.

Zhao-Bang Zeng

Department of Genetics and Department of Statistics, North Carolina State University, USA

Biography

Dr. Zhao-Bang Zeng is William Neal Reynolds Professor of Statistics and Genetics and director of Bioinformatics Research Center at North Carolina State University, USA. He received Ph.D. from the University of Edinburgh supervised by W. G. Hill in 1986 and did his postdoctoral research with C. Clark Cockerham at NC State University. His research interests and contributions cover many areas in theoretical quantitative genetics and statistical genetics. He is an international leading scientist in statistical methods to map quantitative trait loci (QTL), in studying gene interactions, and in inferring the genetic basis and pathways of complex traits. He made singular contributions in QTL mapping methods by developing composite interval mapping that effectively controls linkage effects in mapping multiple QTL. His multiple interval mapping also helps greatly to deal with multiple QTL and epistasis. His group developed the most widely used computer software for QTL mapping data analysis--QTL Cartographer. Recently, research in his group covers many topics in systems genetics and genomics, such as gene pathway inference from gene expression QTL study and gene knock-out study.