A Fast-Graph Approach to Modeling Similarity of Whole Genomes

As increasing numbers of closely related genomic sequences become available, the need to develop methods for detecting fine differences among them also grows apparent. Several calls have been made for improved algorithms to exploit the wealth of pathogenic viral and bacterial sequence data that are rapidly becoming available to researchers. The first stage of our research addresses the computational limitations associated with whole-genome comparisons of large numbers of subspecies sequences. We investigate the potential for the use of fast, word-based comparative measures to approximate computationally expensive, full alignment comparison methods. Recent advances in next generation sequencing are providing a number of large whole-genome sequence datasets stemming from globally distributed disease occurrences. This offers an unprecedented opportunity for epidemiological studies and the development of computationally efficient, robust tools for such studies. In the second stage of our research, we present an approach that enables a quick, effective, and robust epidemiological analysis of large whole-genome datasets. We then apply our method to a complex dataset of over 4,200 globally sampled <italic>Influenza A virus</italic> isolates from multiple host types, subtypes and years. These sequences are compared using an alignment-free method that runs in linear-time. These comparisons enable us to build 2-dimensional graphs that represent the relationships between sequences, where sequences are viewed as vertices, and high-degree sequence similarity as edges. These graphs prove useful, as they are able to model potential disease transmission paths when applied to viral sequences. Mixing patterns are then used to study the occurrence and patterns of edges between different types of sequence groups, such as the host type and year of collection, to better understand the potential of genotypic transfer between sequence groups.

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctorate Degree

Year dc:date.issued

2011

Author dc:creator

• Breland, Adrienne

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Harris, Frederick C.
• Schlauch, Karen A.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Nicolescu, Monica
• Gunes, Mehmet
• Cushman, John

• disease network
• graph
• Influenza
• transmission dynamics

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright(All Rights Reserved)

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11714/3875

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarwolf.unr.edu:11714/3875