The map and an accompanying article will appear in the September 30 issue of Science. We have a good map.
Linkage maps consist of an array of DNA patterns, called markers, positioned on chromosomes.
They are the first tool gene hunters use in the search for a disease gene because they tell the scientist which general area of the chromosome contains the gene. Four years ago, Human Genome Project planners established specifications for the quality of linkage map they wanted to produce during the coming five years. Those specifications called for high-quality markers to be established between 2 and 5 centimorgans apart throughout the genome. Markers on the new map contain high-quality genetic information, are located on average less than 1 centimorgan apart, and are available to the research community a year sooner than planners expected. Information about the markers is available in public databases.