Engineering automated systems for physical mapping

The automated physical mapping system described here is currently being used to complete physical maps of both the human and the mouse genomes. The originally targeted 5,000 screenings per day has been surpassed with about 18,000 daily screenings on a routine basis. Thus far, 3,500 STSs have been mapped and the remaining 6,500 required to make the first low-density STS physical map are likely to be completed very early in 1995. Many of the biochemical and automation techniques used for this physical mapping project may also have applications in other areas such as DNA genotyping, and DNA diagnostics. For example, it may be possible to screen large populations for particular genetic diseases (such as cystic fibrosis and a propensity for certain cancers) before they exhibit any symptoms, thereby allowing potential treatments to start as early as possible.<>