The GeneNetwork and WebQTL

Category Genomics>Genetic Data Analysis/Tools

Abstract The GeneNetwork consists of a set of linked resources for systems genetics.

It has been designed for multi-scale integration of networks of genes, transcripts, and traits such as toxicity, cancer susceptibility, and behavior.

This open resource combines more than 25 years of legacy data generated by hundreds of scientists with full genome sequence and deep transcriptome data sets.

WebQTL is the leading GeneNetwork module, and has been optimized for on-line analysis of traits that are controlled by combinations of allelic variants and environmental factors.

WebQTL exploits several permanent genetic reference populations (GRP) of mouse (BXD, LXS, etc.), rat (HXB), and Arabidopsis (BayXSha).

Each GRP is accompanied by dense genetic maps used to locate modifiers that cause downstream differences in expression and higher- order phenotypes, including disease susceptibility.

Users can also enter their own private data directly into WebQTL to exploit the full range of analytic tools and to map upstream modulators in an advanced environment.

Numerous statistical tools are combined with a database consisting of three million mouse Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs).

This combination allows relatively efficient analysis of possible relations between sequence variants and sets of functional variants.

WebQTL features/capabilities --

Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) Mapping -

Interval Mapping - Statistical tests of association between trait values and the genotypes of marker loci through the genome.

A significant association is interpreted as indicating the presence of a QTL linked to the marker that shows the association.

Simple interval mapping - This method evaluates the association between the trait values and the expected genotype of a hypothetical QTL (the target QTL) at multiple analysis points between each pair of adjacent marker loci.

The analysis point that yields the most significant associations may be taken as the location of a putative QTL.

Bootstrap methods may be performed for estimating confidence intervals on a QTL location.

Composite interval mapping - Like simple interval mapping, this method evaluates the possibility of a target QTL at multiple analysis points across each interlocus interval.

However, at each point it also includes in the analysis the effect of one or more markers elsewhere in the genome.

These markers, also called background markers, have previously been shown to be associated with the trait and therefore are each presumably close to another QTL (a background QTL).

Pair-scan - This method evaluates all marker pairs in two-locus models including the main effects of each locus and their interaction.

These allow discovery of multiple QTL models for complex phenotypes.

For all mapping methods Permutation tests may also be selected to establish empirical significance thresholds.

Genetic Correlation Analysis -

For sets of phenotypes, particularly those in GeneNetwork's databases, a variety of correlation analyses can be performed.

Trait values entered by users or retrieved from the databases can be correlated with any other database of phenotypes from the same mapping genetic reference panel.

Correlation Matrix / Principal Components Analysis (PCA) - For a small set of traits (n less than 32), a correlation matrix and new principal component phenotypes can be generated.

Cluster Tree - For larger sets, (n less than 64 traits), a cluster analysis can be performed to define sets of correlated traits and identify common genetic determinants of the phenotypes.

QTL mapping results for all traits are presented in a parallel thermogram display below the cluster dendrogram.

Compare Correlates - Allows users to find shared genetic correlates among a group of traits by correlating them with all records from any database.

Network Graph - Allows users to examine the network of associations among large groups of phenotypes.

Most graphical displays are interactive and allow users to define interesting trait sets which can be temporarily stored for further analysis in WebQTL.

Systems Genetics and Complex Trait Analysis - GeneNetwork pages are extensively connected to external resources.

Numerous links to the UCSC and Ensembl Genome Browsers (see G6G Abstract Number 20197), PubMed, Entrez Gene, GNF Expression Atlas, PANTHER Classification System (see G6G Abstract Number 20065), and WebGestalt (see G6G Abstract Number 20327), provide users with rapid interpretive information about genomic regions, published phenotypes and genes highlighted in WebQTL.

System Requirements

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Manufacturer

Manufacturer Web Site The GeneNetwork and WebQTL

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G6G Abstract Number 20326

G6G Manufacturer Number 102872