362
FRIEDHELM HILDEBRANDT AND HEYMUT OMRAN
gene (by the criterion of a LOD score of -2), until one finds a marker that is
linked to the disease.
LODVIEW: a computerprogram for the graphical evaluation of LOD score results
For linkage analysis projects aimed at mapping hereditary diseases in humans, more than twothousand of highly polymorphic microsatellite (MS)
markers which can be typed by PCR, have become available. With this technical improvement, the availability of a technique allowing for transparency
in the handling of rapidly generated LOD score data is becoming important.
The computerprogram "LODVIEW" (1) for the graphical representation of
LOD score data has been developed as an aide for such projects (Figure 7
and 8). It is designed for the input of LOD score data generated with the
LINKAGE (2) package or similar programs.
LODVIEW consists of 24 preformatted files, one for each chromosome.
Each file contains a table for the input of LOD score data and a file for the
graphical representation of the data, which will show automatically any entrythat is made in the respective input table. Data on microsatellite markers
with known inter-marker distances have already been entered into the table
(Figure 7) and graph (Figure 8). The graphical display ofLODVIEW allows
for the rapid evaluation ofLOD score results calculated from MS markers on
each chromosome.
The following information can be obtained from the graphical display at
one glance:
• Regions of exclusion (Z(8) <-2) and non-exclusion.
• Markers with positive LOD scores.
• The distribution of positive and negative LOD scores among the families
examined (indication of genetic heterogeneity).
• Multipoint LOD scores.
• The availability of MS markers in regions of interest. The program is
continually updated for novel MS marker information from the literature. The program LODVIEW helps to monitor and direct the progress of
exclusion mapping projects efficiently (3).The program is available from
the authors.
FRIEDHELM HILDEBRANDT AND HEYMUT OMRAN
gene (by the criterion of a LOD score of -2), until one finds a marker that is
linked to the disease.
LODVIEW: a computerprogram for the graphical evaluation of LOD score results
For linkage analysis projects aimed at mapping hereditary diseases in humans, more than twothousand of highly polymorphic microsatellite (MS)
markers which can be typed by PCR, have become available. With this technical improvement, the availability of a technique allowing for transparency
in the handling of rapidly generated LOD score data is becoming important.
The computerprogram "LODVIEW" (1) for the graphical representation of
LOD score data has been developed as an aide for such projects (Figure 7
and 8). It is designed for the input of LOD score data generated with the
LINKAGE (2) package or similar programs.
LODVIEW consists of 24 preformatted files, one for each chromosome.
Each file contains a table for the input of LOD score data and a file for the
graphical representation of the data, which will show automatically any entrythat is made in the respective input table. Data on microsatellite markers
with known inter-marker distances have already been entered into the table
(Figure 7) and graph (Figure 8). The graphical display ofLODVIEW allows
for the rapid evaluation ofLOD score results calculated from MS markers on
each chromosome.
The following information can be obtained from the graphical display at
one glance:
• Regions of exclusion (Z(8) <-2) and non-exclusion.
• Markers with positive LOD scores.
• The distribution of positive and negative LOD scores among the families
examined (indication of genetic heterogeneity).
• Multipoint LOD scores.
• The availability of MS markers in regions of interest. The program is
continually updated for novel MS marker information from the literature. The program LODVIEW helps to monitor and direct the progress of
exclusion mapping projects efficiently (3).The program is available from
the authors.
