Using Molecular Annotations to Find the SNPs for Breeding

Over much of the last two decades, tremendous strides have been made both in molecular genetics and quantitative genetics.  However, during most of this time quantitative genetics mostly used molecular genetics as nearly inexhaustible supply of molecular markers. Detailed examinations of chromatin structure and genome conservation are providing insights into the thousands of variation that contribute to phenotypic variation, while allowing the millions neutral variants to be ignored.  We will show how a detailed examination of 10's millions of variants in maize is providing insights in heterosis, adaptation, and the gene classes responsible for adaptation.