Functional genomics integrated with comparative mapping. Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) in green are similar traits found to be in conserved regions between rat and human using the comparative maps based on RH backbones. Microarray studies in animal models identify differentially expressed UniGenes in tissue between disease inbred and normal inbred rat strain. Genes found to be differentially expressed (red circles and green circles) and mapping in the QTL region common between rat and human can be further studied in human populations for their potential contribution to the disease.