haplotyyppiblokit

Haplotyyppiblokit, a Finnish term, translates to "haplotype blocks" in English and refers to contiguous segments of DNA that are inherited together. Within a population, specific combinations of alleles at different single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) locations often appear linked due to limited recombination. These linked SNPs form a haplotype block.

The study of haplotype blocks is crucial in population genetics and human disease research. By identifying these blocks, researchers can infer patterns of recombination and evolutionary history. They are also used to tag larger regions of the genome, simplifying genetic association studies. Instead of genotyping every SNP, researchers can genotype a representative set of SNPs within these blocks, known as haplotype tagging SNPs (htSNPs).

Haplotype blocks are not static; they can break down over time due to recombination events. The size and extent of these blocks vary across different genomic regions and populations, reflecting differences in recombination rates and historical population structure. Understanding haplotype block structure allows for more efficient and powerful genetic analysis.