WebQTL: Web-Based Complex Trait Analysis

Abstract

WebQTL is a website that combines databases of complex traits with fast software for mapping quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and for searching for correlations among traits. WebQTL also includes well-curated genotype data for five sets of mouse recombinant inbred (RI) lines. Thus, to identify QTLs, users need provide only quantitative trait data from one of the supported populations. The WebQTL databases include both biological traits-neuroanatomical, pharmacological, and behavioral traits-and microarray-based gene expression data from BXD RI lines. A search function finds correlations between RNA expression and biological traits, and mapping functions find QTLs for either type of trait.