A maximum-likelihood method to correct for allelic dropout in microsatellite data with no replicate genotypes.

ABSTRACT: Allelic dropout is a commonly observed source of missing data in microsatellite genotypes, in which one or both allelic copies at a locus fail to be amplified by the polymerase chain reaction. Especially for samples with poor DNA quality, this problem causes a downward bias in estimates of observed heterozygosity and an upward bias in estimates of inbreeding, owing to mistaken classifications of heterozygotes as homozygotes when one of the two copies drops out. One general approach for avoiding allelic dropout involves repeated genotyping of homozygous loci to minimize the effects of experimental error. Existing computational alternatives often require replicate genotyping as well. These approaches, however, are costly and are suitable only when enough DNA is available for repeated genotyp

SUBMITTER: Wang C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3660999 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature