Biodiversity Genomics - Adaptation Genomics (QTL Mapping)

Lecture notes from Imperial College London, Biological Sciences BSc, 3rd year, Biodiversity Genomics (BG) module. These lecture notes provide an in-depth exploration of Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) Mapping, a powerful tool in adaptation genomics for identifying the genetic basis of complex traits. The document combines theoretical foundations with real-world examples to illustrate the application of QTL mapping across diverse species and traits. Examples of QTL Mapping: C. elegans Strains: Bristol and Bergerac Demonstrates QTL analysis to uncover the genetic basis of phenotypic differences such as body size and fertility between two Caenorhabditis elegans strains. Dog Body Size Explores the genetic determinants of body size variation in domestic dogs, highlighting loci responsible for the wide diversity in size among breeds. Peppered Moth Pigmentation Showcases the use of QTL mapping to identify genetic loci influencing pigmentation patterns in peppered moths, a classic example of adaptation to environmental pressures. This document is a valuable resource for students, offering explanations of QTL mapping techniques and practical examples that illuminate the genetic basis of adaptation in natural and experimental systems.