DNA Sequencing: Algorithms for DNA Replication

Presented by: Computer Science Faculty Candidate, Dr. Christopher Taylor
Date: Friday, April 4, 2008
Time: 4:00 pm Alden Hall
Location: Room 101

Lecture Abstract:

We are entering an exciting era of genomic research that is being driven by constantly evolving DNA sequencing technologies. In just the last decade we have witnessed the completion of the human genome sequence (Human Genome Project 2001), nearly 1000 bacterial genomes, and over 165 eukaryotic species. The advent of DNA microarrays has significantly decreased the cost of many resequencing applications and a number of emerging ultra high-throughput sequencing technologies promise to move us ever closer to the much sought-after $1,000 genome.

This talk will present recent work using DNA microarray technology that investigates human DNA replication timing. The focus will be on algorithms developed to classify, visualize, and simulate the process of DNA replication and its timing. Due to the sheer size of the full human genome, efficiency of our algorithms are a paramount concern in terms of both time-complexity and memory requirements.

The Computational challenges involved with anticipated ultra high-throughout sequencing technologies provide an ideal realm for future research which can build on the same algorithmic techniques we use to analyze and process microarray data.