Lecture 26 - Genetics and Epidemiology

Question 1

Uses of comparative genomics
1)
2)
3)

Answer 1

1) Rational vaccine design
2) Novel drug targets
3) Diagnosis using DNA sequencing

Question 2

Example of comparative genomic population sample

Answer 2

1000 N. meningitidis samples from meningococcal patients

Question 3

Uses of population analysis
1)
2)

Answer 3

1) Trace evolution (resistances, virulence determinants)

2) Trace spread

Question 4

Read mapping
1)
2)
3)

Answer 4

1) Used to compare the genomes of different bacteria
2) Instead of sequencing the entire genome by constructing a contig (de novo asembly), compare reads to a reference genome
3) Match reads with reference, look for SNPs

Question 5

Phylogenetics

Answer 5

Inferring phylogeny from a set of taxa

Estimate the evolutionary relationship between taxa

Question 6

Epidemiology

Answer 6

Science of evaluating occurrence, determinants, distribution, control of health and disease in a set human population

Question 7

Example of population dynamics

Answer 7

Evolution due to the new selective pressure of a vaccine

Question 8

Phylogeography

Answer 8

Used to map how strains spread in space
Combine phylogenetics (evolution) with location of outbreaks

Question 9

How did the 2011 Haiti cholera outbreak occur?
1)
2)
3)
4)

Answer 9

1) Cholera strain was identified as an Asian strain
2) Nepalese soldiers subcontracted sewage disposal to local company.
3) Sewage was dumped in an open pit, which flowed into drinking water during rains
4) A 2bp difference was found between current Nepalese cholera and Haitian outbreak strain (using genomics)

Question 10

MRCA

Answer 10

Most recent common ancestor