The goal of this competitive renewal is to increase the value of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatto)for genetic and genomic research by continuing development of a highly informative genetic linkage map forthis species. Rhesus monkeys are the most widely used nonhuman primate in biomedical research. Thisspecies is already an important model organism for studies of neurobiology, immunology, HIV infection andAIDS, pharmacology, diabetes and obesity, bone biology, alcoholism, developmental psychology and othersignificant human health problems. Improved research tools and information related to genetics andgenomics will make this species even more valuable for analyses of the genetic basis of various humandiseases. During the first four years of this project, an initial genetic linkage map was produced that consistsof 241 human microsatellite loci genotyped and analyzed in more than 800 pedigreed rhesus monkeys. Thisinitial map covers all 20 rhesus autosomes, and the average spacing between markers is approximately 9.3centiMorgans. However, the value of this map is limited by the lack of genetic markers in some chromo-somal regions, and the low heterozygosity of loci in others. In this renewal application, support is requestedto add 300 additional microsatellite polymorphisms to this initial rhesus linkage map. This will improve thedensity, coverage and scientific value of the rhesus linkage map. Support is also requested to establish acollaboration with the Baylor Human Genome Sequencing Center in order to integrate the growing geneticlinkage map with the whole genome DNA sequence that BHGSC is generating for this species. Integrationof genetic linkage data with physical mapping and sequence data will benefit both projects and make theseresources and this species more useful for many different genetic analyses. Finally, this project will establisha website designed to give the research community easy access to up-to-date rhesus linkage mapping data,including detailed information about the microsatellite polymorphisms discovered through this study. Amore informative linkage map for this species will significantly increase the opportunity for and statisticalpower of whole genome linkage screens (i.e. QTL mapping analyses) intended to locate functional genes thatinfluence significant traits related to human health and disease.
