bioRxiv Science⌕ Search

Biology subjects

Sandoval, J. R.

Publications and source records attributed to Sandoval, J. R..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

An efficient error correction and accurate assembly tool for noisy long reads

Long read sequencing data, particularly those derived from the Oxford Nanopore (ONT) sequencing platform, tend to exhibit a high error rate. Here, we present NextDenovo, a highly efficient error correction and assembly tool for noisy long reads, which achieves a high level of accuracy in genome assembly. NextDenovo can rapidly correct reads; these corrected reads contain fewer errors than other comparable tools and are characterized by fewer chimeric alignments. We applied NextDenovo to the assembly of high quality reference genomes of 35 diverse humans from across the world using ONT Nanopore long read sequencing data. Based on these de novo genome assemblies, we were able to identify the landscape of segmental duplications and gene copy number variation in the modern human population. The use of the NextDenovo program should pave the way for population-scale long-read assembly, thereby facilitating the construction of human pan-genomes, using Nanopore long read sequencing data.

bioinformatics↗

The genomic landscape of western South America: Andes, Amazonia and Pacific Coast

Studies of Native South American genetic diversity have helped to shed light on the peopling and differentiation of the continent, but available data are sparse for the major ecogeographic domains. These include the Pacific Coast, a potential early migration route; the Andes, home to the most expansive complex societies and to one of the most spoken indigenous language families of the continent (Quechua); and Amazonia, with its understudied population structure and rich cultural diversity. Here we explore the genetic structure of 177 individuals from these three domains, genotyped with the Affymetrix Human Origins array. We infer multiple sources of ancestry within the Native American ancestry component; one with clear predominance on the Coast and in the Andes, and at least two distinct substrates in neighboring Amazonia, with a previously undetected ancestry characteristic of northern Ecuador and Colombia. Amazonian populations are also involved in recent gene-flow with each other and across ecogeographic domains, which does not accord with the traditional view of small, isolated groups. Long distance genetic connections between speakers of the same language family suggest that languages had spread not by cultural contact alone. Finally, Native American populations admixed with post-Columbian European and African sources at different times, with few cases of prolonged isolation. With our results we emphasize the importance of including under-studied regions of the continent in high-resolution genetic studies, and we illustrate the potential of SNP chip arrays for informative regional scale analysis.

genetics↗

Latin Americans show wide-spread Converso ancestry and the imprint of local Native ancestry on physical appearance

Historical records and genetic analyses indicate that Latin Americans trace their ancestry mainly to the admixture of Native Americans, Europeans and Sub-Saharan Africans1. Using novel haplotype-based methods here we infer the sub-populations involved in admixture for over 6,500 Latin Americans and evaluate the impact of sub-continental ancestry on the physical appearance of these individuals. We find that pre-Columbian Native genetic structure is mirrored in Latin Americans and that sources of non-Native ancestry, and admixture timings, match documented migratory flows. We also detect South/East Mediterranean ancestry across Latin America, probably stemming from the clandestine colonial migration of Christian converts of non-European origin (Conversos). Furthermore, we find that Central Andean ancestry impacts on variation of facial features in Latin Americans, particularly nose morphology, possibly relating to environmental adaptation during the evolution of Native Americans.

genetics↗