Zooming in on HLA selection using whole-genome sequencing data
Immune-mediated diseases are among the strongest selective pressures driving human evolution. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) locus that encodes human leukocyte antigen (HLA) proteins plays a vital role in our adaptive immune responses, and thus is crucial in understanding the human evolutionary process. Several non-competing natural selective regimes exist to explain how the MHC locus evolved, including balancing, and pathogen-driven positive and negative selection. However, owing to the complicated genomic structure of the MHC locus, it remains challenging to nominate specific genomic variations and haplotypes driving the observed selection signatures. In this talk, we will characterize HLA diversity among Gambian, China, Latino American and African American individuals. We will clarify selection dynamics that shaped the MHC locus in HLA selection signals.
Date: 14 March 2023, 9:30 (Tuesday, 9th week, Hilary 2023)
Venue: Big Data Institute, Old Road Campus OX3 7LF
Venue Details: BDI LG (lower ground) 0 Seminar Room. Please sign in at reception.
Speakers: Dr Yang Luo (The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology), Ruth Nanjala (University of Oxford)
Organising department: Big Data Institute (NDM)
Organiser: Duncan Palmer (University of Oxford)
Part of: BDI/WHG Genomics Seminar Series
Booking required?: Not required
Audience: Members of the University only
Editor: Duncan Palmer