2014-15: Bioinformatics: Statistical Modeling and Analysis of Whole Genome Methylation and Chromatin Interaction (Epigenetics): March 9-10, 2015

Schedule
Participant List
Speaker Titles and Abstracts
Posters

This workshop was held at SAMSI in Research Triangle Park, NC.

Description

Methylation is the cornerstone of epigenetics. With the next generation sequencing (NGS) technology, whole genome nucleotide resolution methylation data (NRMD) are increasingly available. However, small sample size, correlation between CpG sites, and large variability in the signals, all present difficulties in detecting differentially methylated regions. Although there are a few statistical methods proposed for analyzing such data to date, there are still many unanswered questions. To complicate matter further, a mapping is required to infer NRMD for a cost-effective methylation detection technology, but statistical models for accomplishing this task are lacking. Another area of epigenetics that has gained a great deal of attention in recent years is the spatial organization of genome and regulation. Recent NGS-aided technologies, such as Hi-C and ChIA-PET, have led to the generation of genome-scale chromatin interaction data, which made it possible to recapitulate 3D chromatin structure and detect spatial interactions between important proteins and their target genes. These big data pose a number of challenging statistical issues, including "random collisions" (false positives), highly correlated data due to many-to-many mappings, over-dispersion, and very large dimensionality of the parameter space for reconstructing 3D structures. A number of statistical and computational tools have been proposed, but a great deal is yet to be done for the statistical community to make an impact in these emerging areas of epigenetics. Most importantly, statistical methods proposed need to be completely in sync with pressing biological issues being addressed in the scientific community.

This workshop aimed to (1) introduce participants at all levels (from graduate students, to postdocs, to junior and senior faculty in academic institutions) and backgrounds (biological, computational, and statistical) to current state-of-the-art genomic technology and research in statistical methods for these two areas of epigenetics, (2) create a forum for generation and discussion of ideas for tackling the challenges in analyzing methylation and chromatin interaction data, and (3) build a bridge for new, and strengthen existing, collaboration among participants.

Participants could optionally submit an abstract for a short presentation at the Poster session on Monday (March 9th, 2015) evening. A small subset of the submitted abstracts were selected for short presentations at the workshop. Abstracts for presentation at the workshop: Oral or a poster presentation. If submitted, but not selected, for an oral presentation, the author may still present it as a poster.

SAMSI Directorate Liaison: Sujit Ghosh

If you have any questions please send email to [email protected]

Schedule

Monday, March 9, 2015
at SAMSI

Tuesday, March 10, 2015
at SAMSI