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Biology subjects

Ryan, N. M.

Publications and source records attributed to Ryan, N. M..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

BICEP: an extension to indels and copy number variants for rare variant prioritisation in pedigree analysis

SummaryBICEP is a Bayesian inference model that evaluates how likely a rare variant is to be causal for a genomic trait in pedigree-based analyses. The original prior model in BICEP was designed for single nucleotide variants only. Here, we have developed an extension of the prior models for more comprehensive genomic analysis to include indels and copy number variants. We benchmark the performance of these new priors and show comparable performance accuracy with the existing single nucleotide variant prior model. For copy number variants we evaluate four different input predictors to the models and recommend the best performing ones as the default. Availability and implementationthe updated prior models have been implemented in the current version of BICEP available from: https://github.com/cathaloruaidh/BICEP.

bioinformatics↗

Methyl-CpG2-binding protein 2 mediates overlapping mechanisms across brain disorders.

Methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) is a chromatin-binding protein and a modulator of gene expression. Initially identified as an oncogene, MECP2 is now mostly associated to Rett Syndrome, a neurodevelopmental condition, though there is evidence of its influence in other brain disorders.\n\nWe design a procedure that considers several binding properties of MeCP2 and we screen for potential targets across neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions.\n\nWe find MeCP2 target genes associated to a range of disorders, including - among others-Alzheimer Disease, Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Multiple Sclerosis. The analysis of biological mechanisms and pathways modulated by MeCP2s target genes shows that such mechanisms are involved in three main processes: neuronal transmission, immuno-reactivity and development.\n\nThese results suggest that similar symptoms present in different pathologies have a common molecular basis, and that treatments for one condition have potential applications to related disorders.

neuroscience↗