Dissecting complex traits: the geneticists' "Around the world in 80 days"

The identification of genes mildly affecting quantitative phenotypes constitutes a difficult task that has almost always eluded application, particularly in behavioral phenotypes. Recently, the first study that identified a gene underlying a QTL affecting anxiety was published. In the course of that study, novel approaches were developed that can significantly reduce the time required to identify such genes. The identification of genes affecting complex traits is expected to provide significant insights into the biochemical mechanisms underlying these poorly understood traits.