Course Description

Emphasis:

This course was mainly focussed on strategies for genetic mapping of human mendelian and complex traits. The course is for researchers with little or no experience in using linkage programs. It included theory as well as practical exercises. The exercises were carried out using a variety of computer programs. The course participants learned how to use and interpret the results for a number of programs, e.g. MLINK, GENEHUNTER, ALLEGRO, SimWalk2, Merlin, HOMOG, R, and others.

Topics included:

• parametric methods (two-point and multipoint analysis)
• allele sharing (nonparametric) methods for sib-pairs and extended families (two-point and multipoint analysis)
• fine mapping
• linkage admixture
• association studies (trios and case-control)
• sample size estimation (extended families [simulation studies], sib-pairs and case-control data) and estimating empirical p-values