Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026

12:00
A Practical Guide to Phylogenetics for Nonexperts
Published on: February 6, 2014
[Pareto-optimal alignment of biological sequences]
M A Roĭtberg1, M N Semionenkov, O Iu Tabolina
1Institute of Mathematics Problems of Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Pushchino, Moscow Region, Russia.
Biofizika
|November 2, 1999
Summary
This study introduces a novel vector weighting approach for sequence alignment, overcoming challenges in selecting scalar coefficients. It presents an efficient algorithm for finding Pareto-optimal alignments, aiding in biological sequence analysis.
Area of Science:
- Bioinformatics
- Computational Biology
- Sequence Analysis
Context:
- Traditional sequence alignment algorithms rely on scalar weighting coefficients that are difficult to determine.
- Choosing appropriate weighting coefficients is crucial for the validity of optimal alignment.
- Existing methods lack robustness when coefficient values are uncertain.
Purpose:
- To propose a new approach for sequence alignment using vector weighting functions.
- To develop an efficient algorithm for constructing Pareto-optimal alignments.
- To provide a method for selecting biologically relevant alignments from Pareto-optimal sets.
Summary:
- This research introduces vector weighting functions as an alternative to scalar ones for sequence alignment.
- A novel, efficient algorithm is presented to generate all Pareto-optimal alignments.
- The study suggests a strategy for identifying biologically meaningful alignments among the Pareto-optimal solutions.
Impact:
- Enables more robust and flexible sequence alignment by addressing the challenge of coefficient selection.
- Facilitates the discovery of optimal alignments across a range of potential weighting schemes.
- Improves the biological interpretation of sequence alignments by offering a principled method for selection.
Related Concept Videos
Phylogenetic Trees
Phylogenetic trees come in many forms. It matters in which sequence the organisms are arranged from the bottom to the top of the tree, but the branches can rotate at their nodes without altering the information. The lines connecting individual nodes can be straight, angled, or even curved.The length of the branches can depict time or the relative amount of change among organisms. For instance, the branch length might indicate the number of amino acid changes in the sequence that underlies the...
Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?
The genomes of eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of sequence which do not code for proteins or RNAs. Although some of these regions do contain crucial regulatory sequences, the vast majority of this DNA serves no known function. Typically, these regions of the genome are the ones in which the fastest change, in evolutionary terms, is observed, because there is typically little to no selection pressure acting on these regions to preserve their sequences.
In contrast, regions which code...
In contrast, regions which code...
Cis-regulatory Sequences
Cis-regulatory sequences are short fragments of non-coding DNA that are present on the same chromosomes as the genes that they regulate. These fragments serve as binding sites for transcriptional regulators, proteins that are responsible for controlling gene transcription and differential gene expression across cell types in eukaryotes. Cis-regulatory sequences can be close to the gene of interest or thousands of bases away in the DNA sequence; however, those sequences that are further away are...
Evolutionary Relationships through Genome Comparisons
Genome comparison is one of the excellent ways to interpret the evolutionary relationships between organisms. The basic principle of genome comparison is that if two species share a common feature, it is likely encoded by the DNA sequence conserved between both species. The advent of genome sequencing technologies in the late 20th century enabled scientists to understand the concept of conservation of domains between species and helped them to deduce evolutionary relationships across diverse...
Multi-species Conserved Sequences
Next-generation sequencing technologies have created large genomic databases of a variety of animals and plants. Ever since the human genome project was completed, scientists studied the genome of primates, mammals, and other phylogenetically distant living beings. Such large-scale studies have provided new insights into the evolutionary relationship between organisms.
Although the genome of each species varies greatly from each other, a few sequences are highly conserved. Such conserved DNA...
Although the genome of each species varies greatly from each other, a few sequences are highly conserved. Such conserved DNA...
Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?
The genomes of eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of sequence which do not code for proteins or RNAs. Although some of these regions do contain crucial regulatory sequences, the vast majority of this DNA serves no known function. Typically, these regions of the genome are the ones in which the fastest change, in evolutionary terms, is observed, because there is typically little to no selection pressure acting on these regions to preserve their sequences.
In contrast, regions which code...
In contrast, regions which code...

