Joost J.B. Keurentjes - The versatile use of genome elimination in developing novel genetic mapping resources in Arabidopsis

The genetic analysis of quantitative traits has always depended on the availability of proper genetic resources, such as experimental mapping populations. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the reference species for many plant related traits, such populations have for long been generated by classical crossing schemes. Well known are linkage mapping approaches in biparental F2 populations or more sophisticated resources, like backcross, near isogenic line (NIL) or recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations. Each of these populations suffer from their own drawbacks such as long developing times, large population sizes or low statistical detection power.

Recently, however, the detection of a centromere mediated genome elimination mutant line in Arabidopsis (CenH3) opened up the way for a whole new suite of mapping resources. Many of the disadvantages of currently used mapping resources can be alleviated by novel designs using the genome elimination mutant. For instance, double haploid formation was thus far not possible in Arabidopsis but can be accomplished within three generations using the CenH3 mutant line, greatly reducing the time and efforts needed to create a comparable RIL population. Another application results in the generation of chromosome substitution strains (CSSs), which encompasses large advantages in terms of detection power, population size and statistical analysis of genetic architecture.

These and other population types generated by the use of the CenH3 mutant line will be discussed in light of their development and performance.