Computers 'taught' to ID regulating gene sequences
Monday, November 5, 2012 - 18:30
in Biology & Nature
The glowing areas in this zebrafish embryo show the activity of one of the brain enhancer sequences identified. Johns Hopkins researchers have succeeded in teaching computers how to identify commonalities in DNA sequences known to regulate gene activity, and to then use those commonalities to predict other regulatory regions throughout the genome. The tool is expected to help scientists better understand disease risk and cell development.