Three statistical models are developed to address problems in Next-Generation Sequencing data. The first two models are designed for RNA-Seq data and the third is designed for ChIP-Seq data. The first of the RNA-Seq models uses a Bayesian non- parametric model to detect genes that are differentially expressed across treatments. A negative binomial sampling distribution is used for each gene’s read count such that each gene may have its own parameters. Despite the consequent large number of parameters, parsimony is imposed by a clustering inherent in the Bayesian nonparametric framework. A Bayesian discovery procedure is adopted to calculate the probability that each gene is differentially expressed. A simulation study and real data analysis show this method will perform at least as well as existing leading methods in some cases. The second RNA-Seq model shares the framework of the first model, but replaces the usual random partition prior from the Dirichlet process by a random partition prior indexed by distances from Gene Ontology (GO). The use of the external biological information yields improvements in statistical power over the original Bayesian discovery procedure. The third model addresses the problem of identifying protein binding sites for ChIP-Seq data. An exact test via a stochastic approximation is used to test the hypothesis that the treatment effect is independent of the sequence count intensity effect. The sliding window procedure for ChIP-Seq data is followed. The p-value and the adjusted false discovery rate are calculated for each window. For the sites identified as peak regions, three candidate models are proposed for characterizing the bimodality of the ChIP-Seq data, and the stochastic approximation in Monte Carlo (SAMC) method is used for selecting the best of the three. Real data analysis shows that this method produces comparable results as other existing methods and is advantageous in identifying bimodality of the data.

<p><p>Eukaryotic genomes have extensive flexibility and plasticity to modify transcription and replication programs, yielding a myriad of differentiated cell types and survival mechanisms to adverse environmental conditions. As these genomic processes require precise localization of DNA-binding factors, their dynamic temporal and spatial distributions provide dramatically different interpretations of a static genome sequence. DNA-binding factors must compete with nucleosomes, the basic subunit of chromatin, for access to the underlying DNA sequence. Even though the spatial preferences of these proteins are partially explained by DNA sequence alone, the complete genome occupancy profile has remained elusive, and we currently have a limited understanding of how DNA-binding protein configurations directly impact transcription and replication function.</p></p><p><p>Profiling the entire chromatin environment has typically required multiple experiments to capture both DNA-binding factors and nucleosomes. Here, we have extended the traditional micrococcal nuclease (MNase) digestion assay to simultaneously resolve both nucleosomes and smaller DNA-binding footprints in <i>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</i>. Visualization of protected DNA fragments revealed a nucleotide-resolution view of the chromatin architecture at individual genomic loci. We show that different MNase digestion times can capture nucleosomes partially unwrapped or complexed with chromatin remodelers. Stereotypical DNA-binding footprints are evident across all promoters, even at low-transcribed and silent genes. By aggregating the chromatin profiles across transcription-factor--binding sites, we precisely resolve protein footprints, yielding <i>in vivo</i> insights into protein-DNA interactions. Together, our MNase method, in one experiment, provides an unprecedented assessment of the entire chromatin structure genome-wide.</p></p><p><p>We utilized this approach to interrogate how the replication program is regulated by the chromatin environment surrounding DNA replication initiation sites. Pre-replicative complex (pre-RC) formation commences with recruitment of the origin recognition complex (ORC) to specific locations in the genome, termed replication origins. Although successful pre-RC assembly primes each site for S-phase initiation by loading the Mcm2-7 helicase, replication origins have substantially different activation times and efficiencies. We posited that replication origin function is substantially impacted by the local chromatin environment. Here, we resolved a high-resolution ORC-dependent footprint at 269 replication origins genome-wide. Even though ORC in <i>S. cerevisiae</i> remains bound at replication origins throughout the cell cycle, we detected a subset of inefficient origins that did not yield a footprint until G1, suggesting a more transient ORC interaction prior to pre-RC assembly. Nucleosome movement accommodated the pre-RC-induced expansion of the ORC-dependent footprint in G1, leading to increased activation efficiency. Mcm2-7 loading is preferentially directed to one side of each replication origin, in close proximity to the origin-flanking nucleosome. Our data demonstrates that pre-RC components are assembled into multiple configurations <i>in vivo</i>.</p></p><p><p>We anticipate that extending chromatin occupancy profiling to many different cell types will reveal further insights into genome regulation.</p></p> / Dissertation

O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar os mecanismos adquiridos de resistência de isolados de enterobactérias produtoras de carbapenemases utilizando a tecnologia de sequenciamento de nova geração. Foram incluídos no estudo quatro isolados – três Escherichia coli e uma Serratia marcescens – produtores de diferentes carbapenemases – OXA-370, KPC-2, NDM-1 e GES-5, respectivamente, obtidos a partir de um estudo de vigilância para detecção de carbapenemases. O DNA total dos isolados foi extraído utilizando kits comerciais e submetido à fragmentação enzimática para a obtenção de bibliotecas genômicas de aproximadamente 300 pares de bases. Após a preparação das bibliotecas, elas foram carregadas em chips 316 v2 para a plataforma Ion Torrent PGM e submetidas ao sequenciamento, utilizando um programa de 850 flows. Para cada genoma, foram obtidos aproximadamente um milhão de reads, os quais foram submetidos ao processo de montagem para a obtenção de genomas de aproximadamente 5Mb com uma cobertura de, em média, 175 vezes. As sequências obtidas foram submetidas à anotação utilizando o sistema RAST e a ferramenta online ResFinder. Sequências de inserção foram pesquisadas utilizando a ferramenta ISFinder. Além das carbapenemases, genes que codificam para outras β-lactamases (blaTEM-1, blaCTX-M-2 blaCTX-M-8, blaOXA-1, blaOXA-2) foram encontrados em todos os genomas. AMEs (aadA1, aph(3’)-la, aac(3)-IIa, strA, strB, aac(6’)Ib-cr, aac(6’)-Ib and aac(6`)-Ic), bem como genes que codificam resistência às sulfonamidas e ao trimetoprim também foram comuns aos isolados avaliados. Os seguintes ambientes genéticos foram observados: blaOXA-370 é flanqueada pela IS5075-like, blaKPC-2 está inserida no transposon Tn4401, e blaNDM-1, no transposon Tn3000. Cada isolado de E. coli pertenceu a um sequence type (ST) distinto: 1099F pertence à ST617, 1326F, à ST648, e 2610F, à ST707. Nossos resultados indicaram a diversidade de genes de resistência que podem ser encontrados em um isolado clínico, ressaltaram a variedade de contextos genéticos em que as carbapenemases podem estar inseridas e demonstraram que o sequenciamento de nova geração pode ser utilizado como uma ferramenta para a caracterização de isolados bacterianos multirresistentes, auxiliando, entre outros aspectos, na tipagem e na identificação de determinantes de resistência. / The aim of this study was to characterize the resistome of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae using a next-generation sequencing platform. Four isolates were included in this study – three Escherichia coli and one Serratia marcescens – producing different carbapenemases – OXA-370, KPC-2, NDM-1 and GES-5, respectively, obtained from a surveillance study for carbapenemase detection. Total DNA was extracted using commercially available kits and submitted to enzymatic fragmentation to obtain libraries of around 300 base pairs of each isolate. After library preparation, they were loaded in 316 v2 chips for Ion Torrent PGM platform, and sequencing was performed using an 850 flows program. For each genome, approximately a million reads were obtained, and they were further assembled. The genome length for each isolate was of around 5Mb, with a mean coverage of 175x. The RAST system and the online tool ResFinder were used for annotation, as well as ISFinder. Besides the carbapenemases, genes encoding for other β-lactamases (blaTEM-1, blaCTX-M-2 blaCTX-M-8, blaOXA-1, blaOXA-2) were found in all genomes. AMEs (aadA1, aph(3’)-la, aac(3)-IIa, strA, strB, aac(6’)Ib-cr, aac(6’)-Ib and aac(6`)-Ic) were also detected in every isolate included in the study, as well as genes encoding for resistance determinants to sulfonamides and trimetoprim. The genetic environment of the carbapenemases was very similar to other isolates described in the literature – blaOXA-370 is flanked by IS5075-like, blaKPC-2 is inserted in transposon Tn4401, and blaNDM-1 was found in transposon Tn3000. Each isolate belonged to a distinct ST – 1099F is part of ST617, 1326F belonged to ST648 and 2610F, to ST707. Our results demonstrated the diversity of resistance determinants that can be found in a clinical isolate, highlighted the variability of genetic environments in which carbapenemases can be present and demonstrated that next-generation sequencing is a valuable tool for the characterization of multidrug-resistant isolates, and can provide information regarding the molecular typing and the identification of resistance determinants.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar os mecanismos adquiridos de resistência de isolados de enterobactérias produtoras de carbapenemases utilizando a tecnologia de sequenciamento de nova geração. Foram incluídos no estudo quatro isolados – três Escherichia coli e uma Serratia marcescens – produtores de diferentes carbapenemases – OXA-370, KPC-2, NDM-1 e GES-5, respectivamente, obtidos a partir de um estudo de vigilância para detecção de carbapenemases. O DNA total dos isolados foi extraído utilizando kits comerciais e submetido à fragmentação enzimática para a obtenção de bibliotecas genômicas de aproximadamente 300 pares de bases. Após a preparação das bibliotecas, elas foram carregadas em chips 316 v2 para a plataforma Ion Torrent PGM e submetidas ao sequenciamento, utilizando um programa de 850 flows. Para cada genoma, foram obtidos aproximadamente um milhão de reads, os quais foram submetidos ao processo de montagem para a obtenção de genomas de aproximadamente 5Mb com uma cobertura de, em média, 175 vezes. As sequências obtidas foram submetidas à anotação utilizando o sistema RAST e a ferramenta online ResFinder. Sequências de inserção foram pesquisadas utilizando a ferramenta ISFinder. Além das carbapenemases, genes que codificam para outras β-lactamases (blaTEM-1, blaCTX-M-2 blaCTX-M-8, blaOXA-1, blaOXA-2) foram encontrados em todos os genomas. AMEs (aadA1, aph(3’)-la, aac(3)-IIa, strA, strB, aac(6’)Ib-cr, aac(6’)-Ib and aac(6`)-Ic), bem como genes que codificam resistência às sulfonamidas e ao trimetoprim também foram comuns aos isolados avaliados. Os seguintes ambientes genéticos foram observados: blaOXA-370 é flanqueada pela IS5075-like, blaKPC-2 está inserida no transposon Tn4401, e blaNDM-1, no transposon Tn3000. Cada isolado de E. coli pertenceu a um sequence type (ST) distinto: 1099F pertence à ST617, 1326F, à ST648, e 2610F, à ST707. Nossos resultados indicaram a diversidade de genes de resistência que podem ser encontrados em um isolado clínico, ressaltaram a variedade de contextos genéticos em que as carbapenemases podem estar inseridas e demonstraram que o sequenciamento de nova geração pode ser utilizado como uma ferramenta para a caracterização de isolados bacterianos multirresistentes, auxiliando, entre outros aspectos, na tipagem e na identificação de determinantes de resistência. / The aim of this study was to characterize the resistome of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae using a next-generation sequencing platform. Four isolates were included in this study – three Escherichia coli and one Serratia marcescens – producing different carbapenemases – OXA-370, KPC-2, NDM-1 and GES-5, respectively, obtained from a surveillance study for carbapenemase detection. Total DNA was extracted using commercially available kits and submitted to enzymatic fragmentation to obtain libraries of around 300 base pairs of each isolate. After library preparation, they were loaded in 316 v2 chips for Ion Torrent PGM platform, and sequencing was performed using an 850 flows program. For each genome, approximately a million reads were obtained, and they were further assembled. The genome length for each isolate was of around 5Mb, with a mean coverage of 175x. The RAST system and the online tool ResFinder were used for annotation, as well as ISFinder. Besides the carbapenemases, genes encoding for other β-lactamases (blaTEM-1, blaCTX-M-2 blaCTX-M-8, blaOXA-1, blaOXA-2) were found in all genomes. AMEs (aadA1, aph(3’)-la, aac(3)-IIa, strA, strB, aac(6’)Ib-cr, aac(6’)-Ib and aac(6`)-Ic) were also detected in every isolate included in the study, as well as genes encoding for resistance determinants to sulfonamides and trimetoprim. The genetic environment of the carbapenemases was very similar to other isolates described in the literature – blaOXA-370 is flanked by IS5075-like, blaKPC-2 is inserted in transposon Tn4401, and blaNDM-1 was found in transposon Tn3000. Each isolate belonged to a distinct ST – 1099F is part of ST617, 1326F belonged to ST648 and 2610F, to ST707. Our results demonstrated the diversity of resistance determinants that can be found in a clinical isolate, highlighted the variability of genetic environments in which carbapenemases can be present and demonstrated that next-generation sequencing is a valuable tool for the characterization of multidrug-resistant isolates, and can provide information regarding the molecular typing and the identification of resistance determinants.

The afflictions suffered by immunocompromised individuals have historically been attributed to overt infections caused by bacterial and fungal pathogens. For this reason, treatment methods have focused on resolving these infections, with great success in terms of reducing short-term morbidity and mortality rates. This initial success only served to reinforce the dogmatic opinion that to ‘cure’ immunodeficiency, one needs only to resolve and prevent recurrence of bacterial and fungal infections. However, reports of long-term health problems in immunocompromised cohorts suggest that treatment of bacterial and fungal infections alone does not resolve all aspects of the disease, and that viruses may play a greater role than previously expected. This thesis investigates whether viral infections do indeed have a significant impact in the immunocompromised patient. The overall prevalence of blood-borne viral infections in immunocompromised cohorts was determined through the combined use of unbiased, metagenomic sequencing and qPCR. The viral species detected were compared with patient records in order to determine whether there were any correlations between viral presence and patient outcome following treatment. Furthermore, by investigating a cross-section of cohorts with both inherited and acquired immunodeficiences, commonalities and differences could be found in terms of the types of viruses that infect these cohorts and their abundance in patients with different types of immunodeficiency. The findings of this work suggest that a large number of clinically undiagnosed viruses infect immunocompromised patients, however the prevalence of these viruses varies according to the form of immunodeficiency and, to a lesser extent, according to differences between individuals in the same cohort. Importantly, some of the more common viruses detected appear to be correlated with poor patient outcomes such as graft rejection and future infectious complications. Overall, these results suggest that viral infections do indeed play a larger role in the health of immunocompromised patients than has previously been thought although whether this is due to a direct cause or as a consequence is yet to be determined.

Contexte: La maladie de Waldenstrom (MW) est un syndrome lymphoprolifératif B caractérisé par une infiltration de la moelle osseuse par des lymphoplasmocytes et un pic monoclonal de type IgM. La mutation MYD88L265P est considérée comme un événement fondateur dans cette hémopathie. Les études par séquençage complet du génome ont identifié des mutations du gène CXCR4 (CXCR4 Muté) dans la MW. CXCR4 est un récepteur couplé aux protéines G qui participe aux processus de migration cellulaire et d’activation de différentes cascades de signalisation parmi lesquelles figurent RAS, Akt et NFKB. Les mutations de CXCR4 joueraient un rôle important dans la physiopathologie de la MW et dans les mécanismes de chimiorésistance de certaines thérapeutiques ciblées. Notre objectif a été d’étudier le profil génomique des MW avec mutations CXCR4 par séquençage à haut débit ciblé et par puces à SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) et d’évaluer leur impact clinique. Matériel et Méthodes. Les échantillons de moelle osseuse de 98 MW ont été analysés. L’ADN tumoral a été extrait après sélection des cellules B. Des échantillons appariés (tumeur/ lymphocytes T) ont été utilisés comme référence intra-individuelle. Les mutations de CXCR4 ont été étudiées en séquençage ciblé à haut débit (NGS) ce qui a permis d’évaluer l’architecture clonale dans les cellules tumorales de MW et /ou par séquençage Sanger (exon 2). Le spectre mutationnel de 8 gènes candidats impliqués dans les voies des Toll Like Receptor, RAS et du BCR a été étudié : MYD88L265P, CD79A (domaine ITAM), CD79B (domaine ITAM), CARD11 (exon 5-9), N RAS (exon 2-3), K RAS (exons 2-3), BRAF6 (exon 15), PTEN (exon 5-7). L’analyse des profils génomiques a été réalisée en puces à SNP (Genome-Wide Human SNP Array 6.0 (Affymetrix chips) dans une cohorte de 53 patients. L’expression de CXCR4 et du CD49d (VLA4) ont été étudiées en cytométrie de flux (n=53). Résultats. Nous avons identifié une mutation de CXCR4 dans 24.5% des MW. Toutes mutations sont hétérozygotes, acquises et localisées dans le domaine C terminal de la protéine. Parmi les 17 variants observés, nous identifions 12 nouvelles mutations dans la MW. Les mutations les plus fréquentes sont le variant C1013G (S338X) (5/98) et la mutation C1013A (S338X) (3/98). Les mutations de CXCR4 muté sont associées à une plus forte expression de la protéine CXCR4 en cytométrie de flux, indépendamment du type de mutations de CXCR4 (n=53) (p=0.003). Aucun impact en terme de niveau d’expression de l’intégrine VLA4 (CD49d), qui interagit directement avec CXCR4, n’est observé. Des mutations sous clonales de CXCR4 sont identifiées en NGS dans 4/14 cas. Les mutations de CXCR4 sont présentes dans le même clone que MYD88 L265P, mais sont mutuellement exclusives des mutations de la voie du BCR (CD79A / CD79B). Nous avons ensuite identifié une signature génomique plus complexe dans le groupe des MW CXCR4 muté. Les mutations de CXCR4 sont associées aux gains du chromosome 4 (p=0.002), aux gains en Xq (p=0.002), aux délétions 6q (p=0.038) et présentent un nombre d’anomalies plus élevées (5.8 versus 2.8 per patient, p=0.046). Nous avons ensuite cherché à caractériser le profil clinico biologique des patients MW avec mutation CXCR4 muté. Les mutations de CXCR4 sont associées à un pic monoclonal IgM plus élevé (p=0.006) et à une thrombopénie (p=0.018). Aucun impact en terme de survie globale n’a été observé dans notre cohorte selon le statut mutationnel de CXCR4. Conclusion. Notre étude a permis de décrire de nouvelles mutations de CXCR4 dans la MW et d’identifier une signature génomique plus complexe associée dans les MW CXCR4 muté parmi les MW MYD88L265P. Cette analyse des mutations de CXCR4 a d’autre part montré l’existence d’une hétérogénéité intra-clonal (dans le clone muté MYD88 et CXCR4) et interclonal (mutations du BCR et de CXCR4 dans le groupe des WM mutés MYD88L265P). Nos résultats suggèrent donc l’existence de différents sous groupes génomiques dans la MW. / Purpose. Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) is a B-cell malignancy characterized by bone marrow infiltration of clonal lymphoplasmacytic cells, which produce a monoclonal immunoglobulin M (IgM). MYD88L265P mutation may be considered as a founder event because of it high frequency in WM. Whole-genome sequencing has revealed CXCR4 mutations (CXCR4Mut) in WM. CXCR4 is a G-protein-coupled receptor that promotes migration and activation of several pathways including RAS, Akt and NFKB. CXCR4 mutation has proved to be of critical importance in WM, in part due to its role as a mechanism of resistance to several agents of targeted therapy. We have therefore sought to unravel the different aspects of CXCR4 mutations in WM using next generation sequencing, and SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) arrays and to study the clinical impact.Experimental Design. Bone marrow samples of 98 patients with WM (mean age: 67 years) were analyzed. Tumoral DNA was extracted following CD19 B cell selection. Paired samples (tumor/T lymphocytes) were used as an intra-individual reference. CXCR4 mutation was analyzed by ultra deep targeted NGS (next generation sequencing) (all exons) allowing study of the clonal architecture in WM cells and/or sanger sequencing (SaS) (exon 2). Mutational spectrum of 8 candidate genes involved in Toll Like Receptor, RAS and B Cell Receptor (BCR) pathway along with MYD88L265P, CD79A (ITAM domain), CD79B( ITAM domain), CARD11 (exon 5-9), N RAS (exon 2-3), K RAS (exons 2-3), BRAF6 (exon 15), PTEN( exon 5-7), was also analysed in an integrative study. Genome-Wide Human SNP Array 6.0 (Affymetrix chips) was performed in 53 patients to decipher genomic signature of CXCR4Mut. Flow cytometry was performed to assess CXCR4 and CD49d (VLA4) expression (n=53).Results. We found all mutations to be heterozygous, somatic and located in the C-terminal domain of CXCR4 in 24.5% of the WM. CXCR4 mutations led to a truncated receptor protein. Among the 17 variants, 12 new variants were identified in WM. The most frequent mutation was the CXCR4 C1013G (S338X) mutation (5/98) followed by CXCR4C1013A (S338X) (3/98). Interestingly, CXCR4Mut was associated to higher expression of CXCR4 protein by flow cytometry, independently of the type of CXCR4 mutation (n=53) (p=0.003). No impact on the expression profile of the integrin VLA4 (CD49d) which directly interacts with CXCR4 was observed. Sub clonal CXCR4 mutations identified using NGS were identified in 4/14 cases. CXCR4 mutations pertain to the same clone as to MYD88 L265P mutations, but were mutually exclusive to CD79A/ CD79B mutations (BCR pathway). We identified a genomic signature in CXCR4Mut WM traducing a more complex genome. CXCR4 mutations were also associated with gain of chromosome 4 (p=0.002), gain of Xq (p=0.002) and deletion 6q (p=0.038) and a higher number of genomic abnormalities (5.8 versus 2.8 per patient, p=0.046). We thought to identify clinical-biologic characteristics of WM with CXCR4Mut features. CXCR4 mutations were associated with higher IgM monoclonal component (p=0.006) and thrombocytopenia (p=0.018). However, no impact in overall survival was observed according to CXCR4 mutational status. Conclusions. Our study panned out new CXCR4 mutations in WM, and identified a specific signature associated to CXCR4Mut, characterized with complex genomic aberrations among MYD88L265P WM. The study of CXCR4 mutations showed existence of intraclonal (variation in co-expression of MYD88 and CXCR4 mutations) and interclonal (BCR and CXCR4 mutations in MYD88L265P WM) heterogeneity. Our results suggest the existence of various genomic subgroups in WM.

Background: Obesity is a disease that is caused by genetic and environmental factors. However, epigenetic mechanisms of obesity are less well known. DNA methylation provides a mechanism whereby environmental factors can influence gene transcription. The aim of our study was to investigate skeletal muscle DNA methylation of sorbin and SH3 domain containing 3 (SORBS3) with weight loss induced by Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Results: Previously, we had shown increased methylation (5.0 to 24.4%) and decreased gene expression (fold change -1.9) of SORBS3 with obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m(2)) compared to lean controls. In the present study, basal muscle biopsies were obtained from seven morbidly obese (BMI > 40 kg/m(2)) female subjects pre-and3months post-RYGB surgery, in combination with euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamps to assess insulin sensitivity. We identified 30 significantly altered promoter and untranslated region methylation sites in SORBS3 using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS). Twenty-nine of these sites were decreased (-5.6 to -24.2%) post-RYGB compared to pre-RYGB. We confirmed the methylation in 2 (Chr. 8: 22,423,690 and Chr. 8: 22,423,702) of the 29 decreased SORBS3 sites using pyrosequencing. This decreased methylation was associated with an increase in SORBS3 gene expression (fold change + 1.7) post-surgery. In addition, we demonstrated that SORBS3 promoter methylation in vitro significantly alters reporter gene expression (P < 0. 0001). Two of the SORBS3 methylation sites (Chr. 8: 22,423,111 and Chr. 8: 22,423,205) were strongly correlated with fasting plasma glucose levels (r = 0.9, P = 0.00009 and r = 0.8, P = 0.0010). Changes in SORBS3 gene expression post-surgery were correlated with obesity measures and fasting insulin levels (r = 0.5 to 0.8; P < 0.05). Conclusions: These results demonstrate that SORBS3 methylation and gene expression are altered in obesity and restored to normal levels through weight loss induced by RYGB surgery.

One of the most crucial steps towards nanopore-based nucleic acid analysis is extending the dwell time of DNA molecules within the sensing region of the nanopore. I address this issue by interfacing solid-state nanopores with gel media, which sterically hinders translocating DNA molecules, increasing dwell times. Specifically, my experimental results focus on two reptation regimes: when the DNA molecule is flexible on the length scale of the gel pore, and when the DNA molecule is inflexible on the length scale of the gel pore. The first regime is achieved through the use of agarose gel and 5 kbp dsDNA fragments, and produces a wide distribution of translocation times, spanning roughly three orders of magnitude. The second regime is achieved through the use of polyacrylamide gel and 100 bp dsDNA fragments, and displays a shift in translocation times by an order of magnitude while maintaining a tight distribution.

Next generation sequencing, which allows concurrent parallel sequencing of many samples and makes it possible to distinguish the infection from multiple viral types in the sample, is well suited as a detection format for such assays described below. The aim of the thesis was to develop a method that could detect all known types of human adenoviruses, human enteroviruses, and bacteriophages selected for their presence in the intestine. Using the next- generation sequencing. The first step was to design primers capable of detecting all known types of viruses, covering the area that is capable of distinguishing these viruses. This method was tested on a set of 47 human adenovirus samples and 30 human enterovirus samples of known serotype. Samples with two serotypes in different proportions were also created. After amplification of the target genome, the samples were purified and sequenced on MiSeq, Illumina. The method was further used in the typing of adenoviruses, enteroviruses and bacteriophages in pre-diabetic cohorts of DIPP, MIDIA, and a cohort of diabetics from African and Asian countries. The tested sample was RNA / DNA isolated from the stool specimen. We have demonstrated that the method is capable to detect all tested virus types, including infections with two different types, even if the...

The use of short tandem repeats (STRs) for genotyping forensic case samples has long been an effective tool for human identification. However, interpretation of forensic STR mixture samples can be difficult and any additional information to aid in this process can be invaluable. Allele overlap and stutter during PCR can cause drop out of the minor contributor’s alleles and result in incorrect allele calling. The Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM) provides a list of guidelines on how to interpret DNA typing results from forensic STRs and mixtures, but there is still a significant variation in the interpretation of mixture samples between analysts in the same laboratory and between laboratories. The Illumina MiSeq Forensic GenomicsTM system (Illumina Inc., San Diego, CA) is a massively parallel sequencing instrument that was developed specifically for the use in forensic DNA typing and which could provide sequence variations among on mixture samples. The ForenSeqTM DNA Signature Prep Kit is a kit that can be used with the MiSeq FGxTM platform. The DNA Primer Mix A (DPMA) included in the ForenSeqTM kit targets 27 autosomal STRs, 24 Y-STRs, 7 X-STRs and 94 identity single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on up to 32 or 96 samples, depending on the flow cell used. This study compares the STR performance on DNA mixtures of the MiSeq FGxTM and CE and evaluates its reliability and robustness. The MiSeq FGxTM provides data in read count and the CE in relative fluorescence units (RFU), so the two output data cannot be directly compared to one another. Instead, the ratio of two contributors was calculated at three mixture ratios (1:1, 1:4, and 1:9) to use as a mean of comparison. The mean contributor ratios calculated on the MiSeq FGxTM were 1.799, 7.595, and 13.524 for the 1:1, 1:4, and 1:9 mixtures, respectively. This was not significantly different from the CE mean contributor ratios of 1.818, 7.722, and 14.827, respectively. More allele dropouts occurred on the MiSeq FGxTM than the CE at both 1:4 and 1:9 mixture ratios, but sequencing provided the detection of six isoalleles based on sequence variants that could not be discerned by CE. Other studies have shown full profile generation at these ratios, indicating there could have been some issues during library preparation. Further studies should be performed to thoroughly validate the ForenSeqTM process and evaluate the sensitivity of the instrument. Until then, it is recommended that the ForenSeqTM kit and MiSeq FGxTM system be used at close to equal mixture ratios or in tandem with the CE to prevent genotypes miscalling.