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Chapter 2 - University of British Columbia

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position was on the x-axis and the log ratio <strong>of</strong> the data point was drawn on the y-axis. While<br />

this type <strong>of</strong> visualization can provide a quick genome summary <strong>of</strong> a single sample, it is difficult<br />

to readily link to information such as protein coding genes from this type <strong>of</strong> visualization.<br />

Finally, s<strong>of</strong>tware developed by microarray manufacturers such as Affymetrix, Agilent or<br />

Nimblegen were specifically tailored to handle data from their respective microarray platforms.<br />

Thus, aggregate analysis <strong>of</strong> data emanating from different microarray platforms, but analyzing<br />

samples with common characteristics, could not be analyzed in a concerted manner resulting in<br />

under-utilization <strong>of</strong> the increasingly available array CGH data in the public domain. Most<br />

importantly, no tools existed to integrate multiple dimensions <strong>of</strong> data such as global gene<br />

dosage and gene expression, let alone integration with DNA methylation. Hence, it is clear that<br />

with these apparent challenges, the development <strong>of</strong> such bioinformatic tools was needed.<br />

1.8 Thesis theme<br />

The theme <strong>of</strong> this thesis is the development and utilization <strong>of</strong> an integrative genetic and<br />

epigenetic approach to identify novel aberrant genes and pathways that may be involved in the<br />

tumorigenesis <strong>of</strong> lung adenocarcinoma. This will be achieved by employing genome wide<br />

genetic and epigenetic pr<strong>of</strong>iling experiments <strong>of</strong> lung adenocarcinoma samples and the<br />

subsequent integration <strong>of</strong> this data using novel bioinformatics tools and approaches.<br />

1.9 Objectives and hypothesis<br />

The objective <strong>of</strong> this work is to demonstrate the importance <strong>of</strong> employing an integrative<br />

approach to understand genetic and epigenetic alterations and their consequence on gene<br />

expression. The hypothesis can be broken down to three parts:<br />

(A) Genes/pathways which are important to tumorigenesis are disrupted by multiple<br />

mechanisms in lung cancer.<br />

9

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