Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2026
14:23
Recombineering Homologous Recombination Constructs in Drosophila
Published on: July 13, 2013
A new method to reconstruct recombination events at a genomic scale
Marta Melé1, Asif Javed, Marc Pybus
1IBE, Institute of Evolutionary Biology (UPF-CSIC), CEXS-UPF-PRBB, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
Plos Computational Biology
|December 3, 2010
Summary
We developed the IRiS algorithm to detect past recombination events in genomes. This method identifies recombination locations and sequences, offering a new genetic marker for studying human genetic variation.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Population Genetics
Background:
- Recombination is a key driver of genome diversity, generating junctions between parental sequences that carry historical information.
- The information encoded in recombination events is often underutilized in genetic studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce the IRiS algorithm for detecting past recombination events from extant DNA sequences.
- To specify the precise location and identify recombinant sequences resulting from these events.
- To validate IRiS as a tool for studying human genetic variation and population history.
Main Methods:
- Developed and calibrated the IRiS algorithm using human genome data and coalescent simulations.
- Fine-tuned IRiS parameters for optimal false discovery rate, sensitivity, and placement accuracy.
- Applied IRiS to analyze recombination in specific genomic regions (MS32) and X-chromosome haplotypes (HapMap Phase 3).
Main Results:
- IRiS demonstrated high sensitivity in detecting recent recombination events, with newer events overwriting older ones.
- Analysis of the MS32 region showed good concordance with established recombination rate estimates.
- IRiS-derived recotypes accurately reproduced known human population relationships in HapMap data, validating the algorithm's effectiveness.
Conclusions:
- The IRiS algorithm provides a novel method for detecting and analyzing past recombination events in genomes.
- IRiS enables the use of recombination as a genetic marker, enhancing the study of human genetic variation and population structure.
- This approach offers new insights into the distribution of recombination across genomes.
Related Concept Videos
02:53Conservative Site-specific Recombination and Phase Variation
Because the DNA segments are cut and reorganized in a direction-specific manner, site-specific recombination has emerged as an efficient genetic engineering technique. Flippase and Cyclization recombinases or Flp and Cre, respectively, are two members of the tyrosine recombinase family derived from bacteriophages, that are used to mediate site-specific DNA insertions, deletions, and targeted expression of proteins in mammalian cell lines.
The recognition sites for Cre recombinase called LoxP...
The recognition sites for Cre recombinase called LoxP...
02:08Gene Conversion
Other than maintaining genome stability via DNA repair, homologous recombination plays an important role in diversifying the genome. In fact, the recombination of sequences forms the molecular basis of genomic evolution. Random and non-random permutations of genomic sequences create a library of new amalgamated sequences. These newly formed genomes can determine the fitness and survival of cells. In bacteria, homologous and non-homologous types of recombination lead to the evolution of new...
02:31Homologous Recombination
The basic reaction of homologous recombination (HR) involves two chromatids that contain DNA sequences sharing a significant stretch of identity. One of these sequences uses a strand from another as a template to synthesize DNA in an enzyme-catalyzed reaction. The final product is a novel amalgamation of the two substrates. To ensure an accurate recombination of sequences, HR is restricted to the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle. At these stages, the DNA has been replicated already and the...
02:31Homologous Recombination
The basic reaction of homologous recombination (HR) involves two chromatids that contain DNA sequences sharing a significant stretch of identity. One of these sequences uses a strand from another as a template to synthesize DNA in an enzyme-catalyzed reaction. The final product is a novel amalgamation of the two substrates. To ensure an accurate recombination of sequences, HR is restricted to the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle. At these stages, the DNA has been replicated already and the...
01:30Crossing Over
Crossing over is the exchange of genetic information between homologous chromosomes during prophase I of meiosis I. Genetic recombination gives rise to allelic diversity in the newly formed daughter cells. In humans, crossing over produces genetically distinct haploid egg and sperm cells that undergo fertilization to produce unique offspring. Before cell division starts, the germ cell’s chromosome(s) undergo duplication in the S phase of the cell cycle. As the cells enter prophase I, duplicated...
02:32Exon Recombination
The evolution of new genes is critical for speciation. Exon recombination, also known as exon shuffling or domain shuffling, is an important means of new gene formation. It is observed across vertebrates, invertebrates, and in some plants such as potatoes and sunflowers. During exon recombination, exons from the same or different genes recombine and produce new exon-intron combinations, which might evolve into new genes.
Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon has three reading...
Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon has three reading...