ATLAS: A computer tool for traceabilty studies
Today scientific progress depends to a great extent on computer tools. In genetic studies, for example, a cascade of data is generated, which is only comprehensible after vertiginous calculations on the part of a computer. The Faculty of Veterinary Science is well aware of this and has, therefore, designed a computer program to facilitate its work. ATLAS is particularly useful in traceabilty studies on the food chain.
The program we have designed, Atlas, is an aid to researchers who generate data on DNA polymorphisms and which may also be useful for traceability or paternity studies. Here the European Union is ever more demanding on the origin of specific products (for example the steak that is bought by a consumer).
This is what is known as traceability, and a team at the UAB is working on the use of molecular markers to ensure that two samples (one at site and the other bought by the consumer) correspond to the same animal.
Our program can aid in the identification of which samples are compatible with each other and which, therefore, have the same origin. Another application of Atlas is the visualization of genotype data in pedigrees, the determination of whether two individuals are the potential fathers of another (paternity tests) or in the identification of genotype errors.
References
Article: Pérez-Enciso, E; García-Bernal, PG; Pérez-Enciso, M. "Atlas: A Java-based tool for managing genotypes", JOURNAL OF HEREDITY, 96 (5): 623-625 SEP 2005.
