GameteMaker: A Genetic Mapping Simulation Program That Helps Students to Connect Mutant Phenotypes with Underlying, DNA Sequence-Based Genotypes

FPsc is a self-compatible and highly inbred  analogue of the familiar but self-incompatible Wiisconsin Fast Plants (WFP) variety of rapid-cycling Brassica rapa.  Like WFP, FPsc advances rapidly through the plant life cycle, flowering in ~17 days and producing ~150 mature seeds/plant via self- or cross-pollination after 7-8 weeks. We have exploited the capacity for self-pollination in FPsc to create an integrated suite of resources useful for hands-on exploration of genetics, evolution, and genomic sciences. We conducted EMS mutagenesis to isolate a series of mutant derivatives whose phenotypes are provocative and unambiguously distinct from wt FPsc. We have also created a genome-wide collection of PCR-based molecular markers useful to map FPsc mutant loci and we have worked with the JGI to generate a de novo whole genome sequence  assembly of the FPsc  variety. In principle, these are all the tools needed for students to transition almost seamlessly from Mendelian genetic analysis, to gene mapping experiments and, finally, to use of a genome browser and sequence analysis to identify and characterize potentially causitive mutations. However, the number of marker assays and aggregate number of PCRs typically precludes that transition due to time and cost constraints. I will describe "GameteMaker", a mapping simulation program that uses empirical data re: linkage relationships among FPsc molecular marker and mutant loci as well as PCR product images to enable students to conduct virtual gene mapping experiments. Although presently configured for use with FPsc, the GameteMaker sim can be modified for use with other model genetic systems.