QTL Mapping and Identification of Candidate Genes in DO Mice: A Use Case Model Derived from a Benzene Toxicity...

Diversity Outbred (DO) mice are a multiparental advanced generation intercross population derived from eight inbred strains which are genetically very diverse. They are maintained as an outbred population using a randomized mating design. Thus DO mice represent an ideal population to map phenotypic traits. Here, we provide a case study in which male DO mice were exposed to benzene and phenotyped for the number of micronucleated reticulocytes. We provide step-by-step R scripts for the analysis of phenotypes, genotypes, mapping of resistance gene loci and identification of candidate genes.