Genetic recombination in Escherichia coli : I. Relation between linkage of unselected markers and map distance

Abstract

A relation between linkage frequency of an unselected marker and transfer time based on a physical exchange of genetic material was developed for Escherichia coli crosses. Crosses performed under standardised conditions have shown that the relation was valid. The linkage frequency is determined by two constants and one parameter. The constants are the incorporation frequency for donor fragments and the average number of breakage events per unit length. The variable in the relation is the distance in time units between selected and unselected marker.