Exploring the impact of polygenes on genetic inheritance model identification, with application to Familial Colorectal Cancer Type X (FCCTX)

Although a genetic inheritance pattern has not yet been identified, there seems to be a hereditary component for some types of cancer. The focus of this thesis is on identifying the factors that enable correct identification of genetic inheritance models. Exploring this topic involved complex segregation analysis on real FCCTX cancer registry data, then on simulated data (based on the real data characteristics) to determine what caused the model to be identified. If a strong polygenic effect is present, finding evidence for the correct genetic model is more likely. However, the correct model was identified roughly 50% of the time, so more factors should be explored. If the genetic inheritance pattern of a disease is identified, this would facilitate identifying the gene mutation in question, especially with rapidly advancing genomic technology. This work can be applied to other cancers, and can encourage exploration of non-Mendelian genetic inheritance.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MSc)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mathematics and Statistics

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Graduate Studies

Year dc:date.issued

2017

Author dc:creator

• Scory, Tayler

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Kopciuk, Karen
• Lu, Xuewen

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• de Leon, Alexander
• Long, Quan

• Statistics

Statement dc:rights

• University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/26109

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ucalgary.scholaris.ca:11023/4164