Forward-Time Population Genetics Simulations: Methods, Implementation, and Applications

Description

The only book available in the area of forward-time population genetics simulations?applicable to both biomedical and evolutionary studies The rapid increase of the power of personal computers has led to the use of serious forward-time simulation programs in genetic studies. Forward-Time Population Genetics Simulations presents both new and commonly used methods, and introduces simuPOP, a powerful and flexible new program that can be used to simulate arbitrary evolutionary processes with unique features like customized chromosome types, arbitrary nonrandom mating schemes, virtual subpopulations, information fields, and Python operators.The book begins with an overview of important concepts and models, then goes on to show how simuPOP can simulate a number of standard population genetics models?with the goal of demonstrating the impact of genetic factors such as mutation, selection, and recombination on standard Wright-Fisher models. The rest of the book is devoted to applications of forward-time simulations in various research topics.Forward-Time Population Genetics Simulations includes:An overview of currently available forward-time simulation methods, their advantages, and shortcomingsAn overview and evaluation of currently available softwareA simuPOP tutorialApplications in population geneticsApplications in genetic epidemiology, statistical genetics, and mapping complex human diseasesThe only book of its kind in the field today, Forward-Time Population Genetics Simulations will appeal to researchers and students of population and statistical genetics.Content: Chapter 1 Basic Concepts and Models (pages 1–29): Chapter 2 Simulation of Population Genetics Models (pages 31–54): Chapter 3 Ascertainment Bias in Population Genetics (pages 55–72): Chapter 4 Observing Properties of Evolving Populations (pages 73–103): Chapter 5 Simulating Populations with Complex Human Diseases (pages 105–145): Chapter 6 Nonrandom Mating and its Applications (pages 147–183):