The genetics of quantitative traits: challenges and prospects. Author Trudy Mackay, Eric Stone, Julien Ayroles Publication Year 2009 Type Journal Article Abstract A major challenge in current biology is to understand the genetic basis of variation for quantitative traits. We review the principles of quantitative trait locus mapping and summarize insights about the genetic architecture of quantitative traits that have been obtained over the past decades. We are currently in the midst of a genomic revolution, which enables us to incorporate genetic variation in transcript abundance and other intermediate molecular phenotypes into a quantitative trait locus mapping framework. This systems genetics approach enables us to understand the biology inside the 'black box' that lies between genotype and phenotype in terms of causal networks of interacting genes. Keywords Animals, Humans, Chromosome Mapping, Genetic Linkage, Quantitative Trait, Heritable Journal Nat Rev Genet Volume 10 Issue 8 Pages 565-77 Date Published 08/2009 Alternate Journal Nat. Rev. Genet. Google ScholarBibTeXEndNote X3 XML