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Using markers to assess recombination

Recall that a segregating population is required for our linkage analysis, so that we can observe which parental gamete combinations have been inherited in the offspring.

Another requirement is markers that can identify differences – polymorphisms – between the parental alleles in our populations. We may need to try a large number of markers to identify those that are polymorphic between our 2 parents. This is typically called a parental survey. Markers that are polymorphic then need to be retested on each line in our mapping population. Let’s look at a real-life example.