全基因组关联分析基因交互作用探测算法研究

受计算资源和算法效率的制约，作为探索复杂疾病遗传机制有力手段的全基因组关联分析（GWAS）目前主要局限于单位点分析方法。可复杂疾病是基因－基因、基因－环境交互作用的结果，全基因组关联分析亟需高效多位点交互作用探测算法。 人类大部分DNA以前被误认为是"垃圾"，GWAS采用的基因型数据大部分是在"垃圾"DNA上，其隐藏的功能信息没能利用。最近ENCODE计划已发现人类DNA80%的序列至少参与某一生化功能，属于某一功能元素。本项目将把SNP位点映射到DNA功能元素，把以SNP为单位的基因型数据转换成以功能元素为单位的数据，通过聚集基因调控网络、代谢路径和蛋白质交互网络等信息，把功能元素进行分区；进而挖掘变换后数据的小参数特性，利用聚类、逻辑回归、决策树等手段结合参数复杂理论为交互作用建模；最终基于分区搜索策略，采用参数算法设计技术和机器学习方法为GWAS设计实用高效的多位点交互作用探测算法。

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) provide a powerful approach to reveal the genetic architectures of human complex diseases. Since there are no efficient algorithms to detect gene-gene interactions in the genome-scale, single-locus based approaches are still the primary method for current GWAS with limited computing resources. However, gene-gene and gene-environment interactions play key roles in the development of human complex diseases. Practical and efficient algorithms of detecting multi-locus interactions are in urgent need. Vast sections of the human genome were previously wrongly thought as 'junk DNA'. Most genotype data used in GWAS are distributed in 'junk DNA' and the functional information underlying the genotype data has not been considered. A recent research of the ENCODE (Encyclopedia of DNA Elements) project showed that 80% of the human genome participate in at least one biochemical function and belong to a functional element. This project will map SNPs to DNA functional elements, translate the genotype data of GWAS into the data of functional elements, and partition DNA functional elements into subsets according the knowledge mined from gene regulation networks, metabolic pathways and protein-protein interaction networks. We will mine properties of small parameters in the data, and model interactions using clustering, logic regression and decision trees guided by the theory of parameterized complexity. Via the search strategy based on the partition, we will at last propose practical and efficient algorithms of detecting gene-gene interactions for GWAS using techniques in parameterized algorithm design and machine learning.