Description
QTL Mapping and Hotspots Detection.
Description
For QTL mapping, this package comprises several functions designed to execute diverse tasks, such as simulating or analyzing data, calculating significance thresholds, and visualizing QTL mapping results. The single-QTL or multiple-QTL method, which enables the fitting and comparison of various statistical models, is employed to analyze the data for estimating QTL parameters. The models encompass linear regression, permutation tests, normal mixture models, and truncated normal mixture models. The Gaussian stochastic process is utilized to compute significance thresholds for QTL detection on a genetic linkage map within experimental populations. Two types of data, complete genotyping, and selective genotyping data from various experimental populations, including backcross, F2, recombinant inbred (RI) populations, and advanced intercrossed (AI) populations, are considered in the QTL mapping analysis. For QTL hotspot detection, statistical methods can be developed based on either utilizing individual-level data or summarized data. We have proposed a statistical framework capable of handling both individual-level data and summarized QTL data for QTL hotspot detection. Our statistical framework can overcome the underestimation of thresholds resulting from ignoring the correlation structure among traits. Additionally, it can identify different types of hotspots with minimal computational cost during the detection process. Here, we endeavor to furnish the R codes for our QTL mapping and hotspot detection methods, intended for general use in genes, genomics, and genetics studies. The QTL mapping methods for the complete and selective genotyping designs are based on the multiple interval mapping (MIM) model proposed by Kao, C.-H. , Z.-B. Zeng and R. D. Teasdale (1999) <doi: 10.1534/genetics.103.021642> and H.-I Lee, H.-A. Ho and C.-H. Kao (2014) <doi: 10.1534/genetics.114.168385>, respectively. The QTL hotspot detection analysis is based on the method by Wu, P.-Y., M.-.H. Yang, and C.-H. Kao (2021) <doi: 10.1093/g3journal/jkab056>.