| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/T19537/01 |
| Title: |
Distinguishing Causes of Reduced Genetic Diversity |
| Principal Investigator: |
Etheridge, Professor A |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Department: |
Statistics |
| Organisation: |
University of Oxford |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
07 March 2005 |
Ends: |
06 April 2008 |
Value (£): |
138,307
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Population Ecology |
Statistics & Appl. Probability |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Statistical inference from DNA sequence data typically relies on models for the genealogical relationships amongst individuals sampled from the population. The fundamental building block for such models is Kingman's coalescent which provides an elegant description of the relationships between a sample of neutral genes from a randomly mating (panmictic) population of constant size. Over the last two decades this process has been modified in a natural way to describe samples from populations whose size varies with time or to structured populations in which genes can be found in different places or embedded in different genetic backgrounds. It can also be extended to incorporate recombination of simple forms of selection, in which case it is replaced by a process that experiences fragmentations as well as coalescences.The principal aim of this project is to exploit recent mathematical developments in the theory of fragmentation-coalescence processes to develop tractable models in population genetics. Our primary interest is in establishing a basis for statistical tests to distinguish causes of regions of exceptionally low diversity in the genome. We will then apply the same kind of approach to the interpretation of associations between genetics markers and disease susceptibility. This work will invoke two bodies of mathematics:1 the general theory of fragmentation-coalescence processes, which will further our understanding of the (interacting) effects of selection and recombination;2 extreme value theory for stationary processes which allows us to establish what to expect under a 'null' model of neutral evolution.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.ox.ac.uk |