Natural computatoin with genetic processes

遗传过程的自然计算

• 批准号: 327486-2010
• 负责人: McQuillan, Ian
• 金额: $ 1.82万
• 依托单位: University of Saskatchewan
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2015
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2015-01-01 至 2016-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=572033
• 关键词: Natural; computatoin; genetic; processes

Natural computing investigates models of computation inspired by nature. Major objectives of this area include improving our understanding of natural processes by studying computation, devising new methods for creating computation such as biocomputing, and creating algorithms to analyze data from exhibited characteristics. We are especially interested in biological processes in the area of DNA editing. Many changes occur to DNA over the course of evolution, ranging from small changes, to large sections called transposable elements which can copy/cut and paste from one position of a genome to another. These larger segments are important as they can cause harm by inserting themselves into necessary genes, and are thought to be a major factor in speciation. They make up 45% of the human genome, however they are not currently active. We will model their evolutionary movement and predict their activity and age by examining patterns that occur across different organisms including humans. We will also examine their ability to be used for custom computation as transposable elements are being lauded for their potential with gene therapy, which changes the DNA of a living organism, usually to treat disease. Using theoretical methods, we will explore more general types of biocomputation with transposable elements. It had previously been thought that DNA within a single individual was relatively static and did not change significantly within a lifespan or between multiple cells of the same individual. One exception to this is an organism called ciliates which are known to perform large amounts of DNA rearrangements, necessary for their survival. But this year, DNA rearrangements have been found to occur in fish. In fact, human DNA editing between different cells of the same individual has been discovered and is thought to be related to disease. Since it appears to be occurring more broadly, studying the established patterns in ciliates is beneficial. We are interested in understanding these rearrangements using natural computing, and predicting how they could occur biologically. We are creating computational models and simulations to perform such predictions.

自然计算研究受自然启发的计算模型。该领域的主要目标包括通过研究计算来提高我们对自然过程的理解，设计了创建计算（例如生物计算）的新方法，以及创建算法来分析来自展示特征的数据。我们对DNA编辑领域的生物过程特别感兴趣。 在进化过程中，DNA发生了许多变化，范围从小变化到称为转座元素的大型，可以将/切割和粘贴从基因组的一个位置复制/切割和粘贴到另一个位置。这些较大的细分市场很重要，因为它们可以通过将自己插入必要的基因来造成伤害，并且被认为是物种形成的主要因素。它们占人类基因组的45％，但是目前尚未活跃。我们将通过检查包括人类在内的不同生物体发生的模式来对其进化运动进行建模，并预测其活动和年龄。我们还将研究它们用于定制计算的能力，因为可转座元素因其潜在的基因疗法而受到称赞，这些元素通常会改变生物体的DNA，通常是治疗疾病。使用理论方法，我们将探索具有转座元素的更一般类型的生物成分类型。 以前曾认为，一个个体内的DNA相对静态，并且在同一个体的多个细胞之间没有显着变化。一个例外是一种称为纤毛的生物，已知可以进行大量的DNA重排，这是其生存所必需的。但是今年，发现DNA重排在鱼中。实际上，已经发现了同一个体不同细胞之间的人DNA编辑，并被认为与疾病有关。由于它似乎正在更广泛地发生，因此研究纤毛中建立的模式是有益的。我们有兴趣使用自然计算理解这些重排，并预测它们如何在生物学上发生。我们正在创建计算模型和仿真来执行此类预测。