Cheaper and more rapid DNA sequencing has led to the accumulation of large amounts of genetic data and has fueled the development of new methods to analyze this data. Using population genetics theory and computational methods we can explore the evolutionary forces that shape genetic variation within and among populations of humans and malaria parasites. Demographic events such as population size change influence current patterns of genetic variation. Accounting for the demographic history of a population is critical in the interpretation of population genetic analyses, particularly in detecting of regions under selection and in making inferences about linkage disequilibrium. Characterizing how recombination rates evolve is critical for the efficient design of association studies and, in turn, the understanding of the genetics behind complex phenotypes. In malaria parasites, recombination is a key element in the creation of a wide array of antigens, which help invade host cells. We examine patterns of genetic variation in humans and malaria and explore how demographic history and recombination rates affect these patterns.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:NCSU/oai:NCSU:etd-01102008-104027 |
| Date | 08 February 2008 |
| Creators | McGee, Kate |
| Contributors | Jeff Thorne, PhD, Trudy Mackay, PhD, Eric Stone, PhD, Philip Awadalla, PhD |
| Publisher | NCSU |
| Source Sets | North Carolina State University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/theses/available/etd-01102008-104027/ |
| Rights | unrestricted, I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached hereto a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dis sertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to NC State University or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report. |
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