Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 4, 2026

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
Published on: February 3, 2023
forqs: forward-in-time simulation of recombination, quantitative traits and selection
Darren Kessner1, John Novembre
1Bioinformatics Interdepartmental Program, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095 and Department of Human Genetics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
The forqs simulation tool models recombination and selection to study haplotype patterns. It helps analyze rapid evolutionary changes in quantitative traits over few generations.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary genetics
- Population genetics
Background:
- Understanding haplotype patterns is crucial for evolutionary studies.
- Rapid evolutionary change can occur due to recombination and selection on polygenic traits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce forqs, a novel forward-in-time simulation software.
- To enable investigation of haplotype patterns under specific evolutionary scenarios.
Main Methods:
- forqs is a command-line C++ program.
- The software simulates recombination, quantitative traits, and selection.
- Source code and executables are available for Linux, OSX, and Windows.
Main Results:
- The simulation allows for the study of haplotype patterns.
- It facilitates analysis of scenarios with substantial evolutionary change.
Conclusions:
- forqs is a valuable tool for simulating evolutionary processes.
- It aids in understanding the impact of recombination and selection on polygenic traits over short timescales.
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