Title: Molecular Evolution Studies of the Immunity Related Genes from Different
Primate Species through Codon Usage Bias Pattern Analysis and Promoter Region
Analysis
Investigators: A/P Jagath C. Rajapakse, Dr. Jianmin Ma
Description:
The main purpose of our project is to analyze the codon usage bias patterns of the
immunity related molecules such as the MHC, immunoglobulin, and TCR for their
classification and to compare their characteristics among different primate species
including human beings by performing evolutionary studies. Evolutionary studies of the
promoter regions of these genes will also be performed. This project investigates:
1. Codon usage pattern analysis of 1841 HLA sequences, and its application on gene
classification using multivariate statistical methods or machine learning methods.
2. Codon usage pattern analysis of 743 MHC sequences from non-human primate
(NHP) species, and its application on the molecular evolution studies of the MHC
genes using multivariate statistical methods or machine learning methods.
3. Molecular evolution studies through promoter analysis of MHC sequences from
different primate species including human beings.
The project will be extended to include the MHC molecules from other available
mammal species as well as the immunoglobulin and TCR molecules.