Genome maps and their use in sequence assembly

Genome maps give the location of defined sequence features in the genome and serve as a framework around which to assemble the complete genome sequence. Without them, the complete assembly of complex genomes purely from the shotgun sequence data is effectively impossible. Here, I summarize the principle methods that are used to make detailed genome maps and the ways in which mapping and sequencing are integrated to produce finished genome sequences.

Keywords: genome mapping; genome sequencing; sequence assembly; physical mapping; optical mapping; radiation hybrid; HAPPY mapping; shotgun sequencing