genloc

Genloc, short for genetic localization or genetic locus, is a term encountered in genetics and bioinformatics to refer to a fixed position on a chromosome where a gene or genetic marker is located. In genetics, a locus is the specific position; the term genloc is often used informally or as a label in databases and software fields to indicate that a data entry corresponds to a particular chromosomal position or region. The concept is central to genetic mapping, linkage analysis, and genome-wide association studies, where researchers seek to associate phenotypic variation with specific genomic regions defined by their genlocs.

Genetic loci have coordinates on a reference genome, typically given as chromosome number, arm (p or q), and base-pair position. In practice, genlocs are annotated with identifiers such as rs numbers for single nucleotide polymorphisms or with genomic coordinates; genloc can appear as a field name in tables, pipelines, and annotation tracks.

Because genloc is not a formal standard term on its own, most formal literature uses genetic locus or locus; when encountered, genloc should be interpreted as referring to the locus information or its genomic coordinates rather than a separate entity.

See also: genetic locus, locus, genetic mapping, genome coordinates, reference genome, GWAS, SNP.