Jason De Koning

Substantial analytical and computational challenges impede effective exploitation of the massive genomic data sets being generated by next-generation DNA sequencing technologies. To help overcome these impediments, my laboratory is developing novel bioinformatics approaches for the scalable, high-throughput, simulataneous analysis of many genomes using model-based statistical inference. We are particularly interested in bringing modelling advances in molecular evolution and comparative genomics to bear on interpreting personal genomic variation in humans. Areas of current research include:

1. Enabling Next Generation Computational Genomics. Novel computational techniques for large-scale genomic inference and analysis. Development of more realistic models of sequence evolution under complex functional constraints. GPU-accelerated algorithms.

2. Personal, Medical, and Population Genomics of Humans. Predicting the functional consequences and clinical significance of mutations in individual human genomes. Objective experimental design for exome/genome sequencing studies. The ancient genetic changes that "made us human".

3. Genomics of Extraordinary Phenotypes in Non-Human Species. Genetic origins of extraordinary phenotypes in non-human species, with emphasis on those having biomedical significance to humans. Genomics of adaptive evolution. Inference of selection histories in functional regions.

Research Areas:

Genomics Proteomics and Bioinformatics

Research Personnel: 

• Miguel Rodriguez Marquez, Visiting Scholar
• Roman Frolov, Postdoctoral Associate
• Neera Patadia, Undergraduate Research Student
• Patrick Czezcko, Honour’s Thesis Student
• Rumika Mascarenhas, Undergraduate Research Student
• Lisa Mesluk, Administrative Assistant