© Institute of Mathematical Statistics, 2003 Graphical Models for Genetic Analyses

Abstract. This paper introduces graphical models as a natural environment in which to formulate and solve problems in genetics and related areas. Particular emphasis is given to the relationships among various local com-putation algorithms which have been developed within the hitherto mostly separate areas of graphical models and genetics. The potential of graphical models is explored and illustrated through a number of example applications where the genetic element is substantial or dominating. Key words and phrases: Bayesian network, forensic genetics, linkage analysis, local computation, peeling, probability propagation, QTL analysis. 1