Preprint describes 96-well format for high-throughput QTL mapping across 40 yeast isolates

A bioRxiv preprint introduces a microscale, 96-well liquid-format adaptation of extreme QTL mapping (X-QTL) in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Conventional bulk segregant analysis (BSA) identifies genomic regions linked to quantitative traits by measuring parental allele frequencies in pools of genetically recombined progeny, but the approach has been limited by the need for separate sample handling for each cross and environmental condition tested.

The authors report crossing 40 yeast isolates to a common parent carrying mating-type-specific drug-resistance markers at the HO locus, enabling selection of diploids and haploid segregants at scale. The miniaturised format is designed to allow simultaneous mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTL) across many genetic backgrounds and growth conditions within a single experimental run, substantially reducing the labour and materials required.

The preprint does not focus on a specific biological finding but presents the platform itself as a tool for the quantitative genetics community working with yeast model systems. Potential applications include studying how genetic background modifies trait architecture — a question relevant to understanding the basis of complex traits more broadly. The work has not yet been peer reviewed.