Department of Mathematics and Molecular Biology
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA 90089-1113
This paper presents a survey of results derived from statistical models of physical mapping experiments. In a number of physical mapping strategies as well as when shotgun sequencing DNA, a large number of random clones are chosen from a library and fingerprinted. Clones with sufficiently similar fingerprints are then overlapped. The goal of these experiments is a physical map consisting of overlapping clones that span the genome under consideration. Experimental progress is sensitive to the specific fingerprint and mathematical analysis can reveal important aspects of expected experimental progress. A number of fingerprinting schemes will be discussed including sequenced clone ends.