Genome radiation hybrid mapping: summary and future directions

Genome mapping by means of radiation-induced interspecific cell hybrids is a direct way to localize both high- and low-polymorphic nucleotide sequences, including gene sequences, on animal chromosomes. Using radiation hybrid panels either individual chromosomes and loci or entire genome can be mapped. This efficient approach makes it possible to reach high resolution of markers (up to 100 bp) as well as unify the mapping language. Due to electronic means of communication, the same experimental material can be used in numerous laboratories to provide high-resolution extended genomic maps saturated with markers. Radiation hybrid mapping is a powerful tool for analysis of complex genome structure. Using radiation hybrid maps permitted verification of regions of chromosome homeology in various species and detection of regions with conserved sequence and conserved gene order. Identification of these regions is extremely important for understanding evolution of species karyotypes and for making use of positional cloning to isolate genes responsible for commercial traits as well as genes involved in hereditary human diseases.