A simple method for ordering loci using data from radiation hybrids.

A method is presented for ordering loci on a chromosome based on data generated from radiation hybrids. All loci are tabulated as being present, absent, or not scored in a series of clones. Correlation coefficients are calculated for all pairs of loci indicating how often they are retained or lost together in the clones. On the assumption that a high positive correlation implies closely linked loci, a distance score, d, equal to one minus the correlation coefficient, is obtained for each locus pair and an order is generated that minimizes the sum of the adjacent distances [the MDMAP method of Falk ("Multipoint Mapping and Linkage Analysis Based upon Affected Pedigree Members: Genetic Analysis Workshop 6," pp. 17-22, A. R. Liss, New York, 1989)]. Two sets of data, with information on 13 and 16 loci mapped to chromosome 21q, have been ordered using this method. The results are in very good agreement with other ordering methods used on the same data and with physical mapping data.