Physics Colloquium: Methods for human identification from genotype data

Abstract:

How much can we learn about a person based on his or her DNA? Can we find the individual’s place of birth, last name, or family members? With the exponential decrease in the cost of DNA sequencing, it is now possible to begin answering some of these questions. In this talk I will describe recent developments in computational methods for the detection of an individual’s ancestry from genetic data. I will also discuss implications to privacy of genetic information, and the role of public databases in human identification from genetic data.

Seminar Organisers: Dr. Tomer Volansky, Dr. Dovi Poznanski