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TheScientificWorldJOURNAL
Volume 11 (2011), Pages 429-436
doi:10.1100/tsw.2011.32
The Genetic Background Effect on Domesticated Species: A Mouse Evolutionary Perspective
Mouse Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Monterotondo, Italy
Received 10 August 2010; Revised 7 December 2010; Accepted 31 December 2010
Academic Editor: Steve Brown
Copyright © 2011 Eli Reuveni.
Abstract
Laboratory mouse strains are known for their large phenotypic diversity and serve as a primary mammalian model in genotype-phenotype association studies. One possible attempt to understand the reason for this diversity could be addressed by careful investigation of the unique evolutionary history of their wild-derived founders and the consequence that it may have on the genetic makeup of the laboratory mouse strains during the history of human fancy breeding. This review will summarize recently published literature that endeavors to unravel the genetic background of laboratory mouse strains, as well as give new insights into novel evolutionary approaches. I will explain basic concepts of molecular evolution and the reason why it is important in order to infer function even among closely related wild and domesticated species. I will also discuss future frontiers in the field and how newly emerging sequencing technologies could help us to better understand the relationship between genotype and phenotype.