Toward a Complete Genome: Statistical Problems in the Analysis of Large DNA Molecules

• Activity Number: 581
• Type: Invited
• Date/Time: Wednesday, August 12, 2015 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
• Sponsor: International Chinese Statistical Association
• Author(s): Michael Newton*
• Companies: University of Wisconsin

Abstract

It is not widely appreciated that a single human genome has yet to be fully sequenced, in spite of the incredible advances in genomics and the wealth of genomic data. Revisions to the human reference sequence continue to be made; repeat regions and complex structural rearrangments continue to challenge short-read-based methods. Single-molecule systems that complement sequencing platforms include those based upon optical mapping and nanocoding, both of which reveal megabase-scale structure, and which have enabled an unprecedented view of human and cancer genomes. I review these systems and some of the statistical challenges presented by them. This work is a joint project with David Schwartz.