UC San Diego scientists have used machine learning to identify the DNA sequence that marks where gene expression begins, finding it in approximately 60% of human genes.
Key facts
- •The study was conducted by researchers in the laboratory of UC San Diego Professor James T. Kadonaga.
- •Graduate student Torrey Rhyne-Carrigg led the research team.
- •The team analyzed about 500,000 different versions of the initiator to train their machine learning system.
- •Approximately 60% of human genes were found to contain the initiator sequence.
- •The findings may aid in the design of synthetic promoters and the study of gene-related disorders.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego have decoded a DNA element known as the initiator, which marks the starting point for gene expression. Led by graduate student Torrey Rhyne-Carrigg and Professor James T. Kadonaga, the team used high-throughput DNA sequencing and machine learning to identify the specific DNA patterns associated with this element.
By the numbers
Identifying the Initiator Sequence
The research team analyzed approximately 500,000 versions of the initiator to train an artificial intelligence model. Once the model learned the characteristic signature of the initiator, the researchers applied it to human genes and determined that roughly 60% of them contain this sequence.
Potential Applications and Future Research
The study's findings may help scientists understand how mutations in the initiator contribute to various diseases, including cancer. Additionally, the data and AI models could assist in the development of synthetic promoters, which are sequences designed to switch genes on or off for specific functions. Professor Kadonaga noted that this work is a step toward deciphering the broader gene expression code embedded within human DNA.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by ScienceDaily.
