QTL Analysis in Arabidopsis: Theory and Practical Applications

14-16 September 2021

Doris Rentsch, Prof., University of Bern
Astrid Fastner, Trainee, University of Bern

Thomas E. Juenger, Prof., The University of Texas at Austin, USA

Characters like plant size, disease resistance, and yield generally vary continuously among individuals within a population. This variation is ostensibly influenced by many genes and arises from both genetic and environmental factors. Historically, these systems have been studied with statistical methods that ignore the underlying genetic details and instead focus on population-level patterns of genetic variance and covariance.Unfortunately, this approach estimates only the composite contribution of genes and the environment to variation (nature vs. nurture) and therefore tells us little about the genetic details of individual loci. This course is an introduction to current methods used in the study of polygenetic variation in plants.

In particular, we'll explore the use of quantitative genetic experiments, quantitative trait locus (QTL) analyses, and linkage disequilibrium (LD) mapping as tools for dissecting the genetic details of continuous variation. The course will concentrate on providing students with the basic statistical and conceptual foundation for understanding continuous variation as well as an introduction to various mapping methods and current challenges in QTL cloning. Finally, we will collect phenotypic data on an Arabidopsis thaliana experimental population and conduct basic mapping analyses in a hands-on lab setting.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION concerning COVID safety measures: participants must provide a certificate of vaccination or a negative tests to participate to the course.

University of Bern, IPS, room 207 (theory) and room 73 (practicals)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION concerning COVID safety measures: participants must provide a certificate of vaccination or a negative tests to participate to the course.

Reimbursements

Reimbursements for CUSO MPS Students:
- Train ticket, 2°class, half-fare from your institution to the place of the activity.
- NO reimbursement for your meal expenses.

NEW from 2021: Reimbursement of your travel tickets can be asked online through your MyCUSO.
See HERE for the procedure.

For any question concerning reimbursement please contact the CUSO MPS coordinator Debora Zoia.

Deadline for Registration: 23 August 2021

16