A grid portal implementation for genetic mapping of multiple QTL

Abstract. We present a grid portal implementation of a parallel algorithm for multidimensional QTL mapping problems. The implementation uses the LUNARC application portal framework which is modified to manage the multiple job submission used in the QTL mapping algorithm. key words: QTL analysis, grid computing 1 Genetic mapping of QTL Most traits of medical or economic importance are quantitative. Examples are agricultural crop yield, growth rate in farm animals and blood pressure and cholesterol levels in humans. These traits are generally believed to be governed by a complex interplay between multiple genetic factors and the environment. One method to locate the genetic regions underlying a quantitative trait is known as Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) mapping. A QTL is a DNA region (locus, pl. loci), harboring a gene or a regulatory element affecting a quantitative trait. In a standard QTL mapping study, genetic data (genotype data) from an experimental population is used as input to a statistical model of the measure