In this report we provide one of the first examples of the use of whole-genome murine HBCGM to successfully map a drug-related behavioral trait. We have demonstrated the utility of testing the robustness of the mapping results by the re-analysis of strain subgroups and by combining the results of mapping of related phenotypes. While we focused on the function of our top ranked gene, Dcc, many additional gene variants are likely important. Given the design of the tools we have developed, further increasing their power by sequencing additional strains and measuring additional phenotypes of interest should be straightforward. Though the collection of phenotypic data from large numbers of inbred strains of mice can be an arduous process, especially for complex behavioral paradigms, such efforts may pay large dividends in the form of novel hypotheses generated from whole genome analysis.
