Inspired by the current interest in the so–called haplotype blocks we consider a related, complementary problem abstracted from the following scenario. We are given the DNA or SNP sequences of a sample of individuals from a (human) population. The population is assumed to have evolved as an isolate, founded some generations ago by a relatively small number of settlers. Then the sequences in our...

Oligonucleotide arrays capable of detecting single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from amplified nucleic acid have many applications. The expected SNP is usually placed approximately in the center of the probe to ensure the maximum shift in Tm between complementary and SNP sequences. Unfortunately, different short probes (< 30 bases) selected using widely accepted criteria do not perform consi...

A nanoparticle-assembled photonic crystal (PC) array was used to detect single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). The assay platform with PC nanostructure enhanced the fluorescent signal from nanoparticle-hybridized DNA complexes due to phase matching of excitation and emission. Nanoparticles coupled with probe DNA were trapped into nanowells in an array by using an electrophoretic particle entrapm...

Understanding relationships among species is a fundamental goal of evolutionary biology. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) identified through next generation sequencing and related technologies enable phylogeny reconstruction by providing unprecedented numbers of characters for analysis. One approach to SNP-based phylogeny reconstruction is to identify SNPs in a subset of individuals, and ...

We consider the task of SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) genotyping. In many studies, genotyping of a large number of SNP must be performed. Multiple SNPs can be genotyped together in the same assay (a process called multiplexed genotyping), provided they adhere to some constraints. We address the optimization problem of designing assays that maximize the number of SNPs genotyped, subject t...

The first part of this thesis describes the development of polony sequencing, a sequencing technology in which DNA is cloned, amplified and sequenced in a polymer matrix. A complex library of one to ten million linear DNA molecules is amplified by performing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a thin polyacrylamide film poured on a glass microscope slide. The polyacrylamide matrix retards the di...

Introduction The PorcineSNP60 v2 BeadChip (Figure 1) is the most comprehensive genome-wide genotyping array for the porcine genome, providing superior power to interrogate genetic variation across many porcine breeds, including Duroc, Landrace, Pietrain, and Large White. The PorcineSNP60 BeadChip was developed in collaboration with the International Porcine SNP Chip Consortium, comprising resea...

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have enabled genome re-sequencing for exploring genome-wide polymorphisms among individuals, as well as targeted re-sequencing for the rapid and simultaneous detection of polymorphisms in genes associated with various biological functions. Therefore, a simple and robust method for targeted re-sequencing should facilitate genotyping in a wide range o...

Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) Genotyping is an important molecular genetics technique in the early stages of producing results that will be useful in the medical field. One of the proposed methods for performing SNP Genotyping requires amplifying regions of DNA surrounding a large number of SNP loci. In order to automate a portion of this method and make the use of SNP Genotyping more wi...