A general and efficient method for estimating continuous IBD functions for use in genome scans for QTL

Background: Identity by descent (IBD) matrix estimation is a central component in mapping of Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) using variance component models. A large number of algorithms have been developed for estimation of IBD between individuals in populations at discrete locations in the genome for use in genome scans to detect QTL affecting various traits of interest in experimental animal, human and agricultural pedigrees. Here, we propose a new approach to estimate IBD as continuous functions rather than as discrete values. Results: Estimation of IBD functions improved the computational efficiency and memory usage in genome scanning for QTL. We have explored two approaches to obtain continuous markerbracket IBD-functions. By re-implementing an existing and fast deterministic IBD-estimation method, we show that this approach results in IBD functions that produces the exact same IBD as the original algorithm, but with a greater than 2-fold improvement of the computational efficienc...

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2007
• Where: BMCBI
• Authors: Francois Besnier, Örjan Carlborg
• Keywords: Algorithms, BMCBI 2007, Estimation, Ibd Functions