Algorithmic advances towards a fully automated DNA genotyping system

Short Tandem Repeats (STR) genotyping is a leading tool in forensic DNA analysis. In STR genotyping, alleles in a sample are identified by measuring their lengths to form a genetic profile. Forming a genetic profile is time-consuming and labor-intensive. As the technology matures, increasing demand for improved throughput and efficiency is fueling development of automated forensic DNA analysis systems. This thesis describes two algorithmic advances towards implementing such a system. In particular, the algorithms address motif-matching and pattern recognition issues that arise in processing a genetic profile. The algorithms were initially written in MATLAB and later converted into C++ for incorporation into a prototype, automated system.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2004

Author dc:creator

• Liu, Manway Michael, 1980-

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Dan Ehrlich.

• Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/28438

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/28438