# Faster genetic mapping of complex traits in C. elegans

## TL;DR

Researchers found that RNAi can replace a specific allele to speed up genetic mapping in C. elegans.

## Contribution

RNAi knockdown is shown as a viable alternative to a specific allele for generating recombinant populations in C. elegans.

## Key findings

- Genome-wide allele frequencies were similar between populations using fog-2(q71) and RNAi.
- RNAi can be used to rapidly generate recombinant populations for genetic mapping.
- This method allows more flexibility in experimental design for genetic studies.

## Abstract

Caenorhabditis elegans

is a tractable model system that enables the identification of genetic determinants that underlie phenotypic variation. Over the years, new approaches have been developed to lower the cost of and expedite genetic mapping in this model system. The
ce
X-QTL approach uses the

fog-2
(
q71
)

allele to create obligate outcrossing recombinant populations for selection and sequencing experiments. Here, we tested whether the

fog-2
(
q71
)

allele is essential to the
ce
X-QTL approach by comparing crosses between the
N2
and
XZ1516
strains using either

fog-2
(
q71
)

or

fog-2

RNAi knockdown to facilitate outcrossing. The genome-wide allele frequencies of the bulk recombinant populations derived from these two methods were largely similar. These results demonstrate that

fog-2

RNAi is a viable alternative for rapidly generating recombinant populations, allowing greater flexibility in experimental design.