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Linkage Analysis

The primary goal of linkage analysis is to determine the location (chromosome and region) of genes influencing a specific trait. We accomplish this by looking for evidence of co-inheritance of the trait with other genes or markers whose locations are known, and locating genes close to one another.

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  • Genes are markers that sit close together on a chromosome are called "linked" and are likely to be inherited together.
  • Genes on separate chromosomes are never linked
  • Genes that are far away from each other on a chromosome are likely to be separated during homologous recombination and are considered not linked

Recall Mendel's 2nd Law: The Principle of Independent Assortment - Alleles of a gene pair assort independently of other gene pairs. The segregation of one pair of alleles in no way alters the segregation of another pair of alleles EXCEPT when the genes are linked on a chromosome.

 

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