Download MOL-21

Laboratory Learning Program
Research Opportunity
Research Opportunity Number: MOL-21
Project Title: Genomic analysis of twins discordant for autism phenotype
Project Summary: We have completed a detailed clinical and family survey of families in which there are
either monozygotic or dizygotic twins discordant for one or more features of the autism phenotype. All
probands and their typically developing siblings and parents have contributed both phenotype data and
DNA. The DNA has been subjected to either whole genome sequencing or exome sequencing. Our plan
now is to analyze the sequence data in order to link specific mutations to the autism phenotype. The
student will learn appropriate statistical and bioinformatic approaches for mining sequence data,
identifying and classifying mutations, and associating these mutations with phenotype.
Student Roles and Responsibilities: The student will be responsible for analyzing DNA sequence data
using computational and statistical approaches that she or he will learn from assigned readings and
though supervision in the lab.
Additional Considerations: Start and end dates are flexible, but the student should be available
essentially full-time (at least 35 hours/week) for a minimum of 7 weeks.
Department/Institute: Molecular Biology
Faculty Sponsor: Daniel A. Notterman
Participation Dates: June to September, 2016
Stipend Offered: $0
Number of Internships Available: 0-1
Application Deadline: March 15, 2016, midnight eastern daylight time