Harvesting the Swine Genome: A Roadmap for Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) Analysis

Completion of the human genome sequence provides a foundation for understanding genetic complexity and how it contributes to diverse phenotypes and disease. It is clear that model organisms will continue to play an invaluable role in the synthesis of this understanding. The pig represents an evolutionary Glade distinct from primates or rodents and thus, provides considerable power in the analysis of DNA sequence and phenotypic diversity. The pig, a domesticated eutherian mammal, has coevolved with humans and represents a taxon with diverse selected phenotypes. The pig has played a central role in the scientific and medical communities, thus providing scientific justification for understanding the porcine genome with respect to physiological models of growth and development, health, and reproduction. The recent ability to genetically modify the porcine genome, genetically manipulate embryonic fibroblasts, and ‘clone’ genetically modified somatic cells through nuclear transfer attests to how the pig can provide relevant genetic models of appropriate phenotypes and to resolve the genetic complexity of quantitative traits.