QTL mapping

QTL mapping is like a treasure hunt for scientists. Scientists want to find the genetic treasure called a Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) on the map of the genome. A QTL is a place on the DNA where there is a gene or a group of genes that influence a trait, like height or eye color.

To find this genetic treasure or the QTL, scientists first take two groups of plants or animals that are different in a trait they want to study. It could be the size of their seeds or the resistance to a disease. They then cross-breed these groups to create a new population that has a mixture of genes from both the groups.

Then, they use a lot of markers or genetic signposts to create a map of the DNA in the new population. This map helps scientists locate where the genes from the original groups are on the DNA. By observing the variation in the trait in the new population, scientists can then identify which QTL has an effect on that trait.

QTL mapping helps scientists understand how different genes from different groups affect the traits they want to study. It also helps in developing crops or animals that are better in a particular trait by selecting desirable QTLs through selective breeding.