UH researchers described "Applications of Data Science in Genetics," as part of the HPE Data Science Institute’s Seminar Series.

Elena Grigorenko, Ph.D., a licensed clinical psychologist with a specialization in forensic psychology, explained the interconnection between genetics and developmental disorders.

She discussed data analytic procedures in detail and differentiated the specific types of data that involve exomes and genomes. Grigorenko also explained how one can productively work on DNA sequencing at the HPE Data Science Institute.

“We are interested in understanding the contribution of genetics to disorders...and to learn how to detect them early,” Grigorenko said.

Variant calling and annotation can be highly influential in an individual’s data research because it provides further food for analysis. Finding correlations between genetic factors and disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), can sometimes result in early diagnosis. Early diagnosis is significant because it could lead to finding a resolution quickly or preventing conditions from worsening.

Grigorenko and her research group believe this information and their research can lead to exciting discoveries. This could potentially help newborns and anyone with a specific disorder. They will persevere with their research and data analysis to hopefully create a change that can benefit society.