Research Description

My research focuses on problems in statistical and computational genetics. In general, my interests are in developing both new mathematical methods and computational techniques to overcome complex problems in the analysis of genetic data. I believe that by providing improved methods to researchers that make more efficient use of data as well as integrate a wider range of information, I will have a positive impact on the scientific insights and conclusions that are drawn. I have recently been concentrating my research in the area of complex trait mapping, with application to the analysis of quantitative traits in the Hutterites. The size and complexity of the Hutterite pedigree (13 generations, 1,623 individuals) make most standard analyses intractable, unless drastic simplifications of the genealogy are undertaken. Instead, Drs. Mary Sara McPeek, Carole Ober and I have developed methods for linkage and linkage disequilibrium mapping within the variance component framework that makes full use of the pedigree information (Abney et al 2000, 2002). Further work with Dr. McPeek includes implementation of a novel permutation-based test of significance.

Selected Publications

Using identity by descent estimation with dense genotype data to detect positive selection.

Han L, Abney M

(Feb 2013) European journal of human genetics : EJHG 21(2):205-11 PMID:22781100 (Full Text)

Estimating the human mutation rate using autozygosity in a founder population.

Campbell CD, Chong JX, Malig M, Ko A, Dumont BL, Han L, Vives L, O'Roak BJ, Sudmant PH, Shendure J, Abney M, Ober C, Eichler EE

(Nov 2012) Nature genetics 44(11):1277-81 PMID:23001126 (Full Text)

GLOGS: a fast and powerful method for GWAS of binary traits with risk covariates in related populations.

Stanhope SA, Abney M

(Jun 2012) Bioinformatics (Oxford, England) 28(11):1553-4 PMID:22522135 (Full Text)

Fine-mapping alleles for body weight in LG/J × SM/J F₂ and F(34) advanced intercross lines.

Parker CC, Cheng R, Sokoloff G, Lim JE, Skol AD, Abney M, Palmer AA

(Oct 2011) Mammalian genome : official journal of the International Mammalian Genome Society 22(9-10):563-71 PMID:21761260 (Full Text)

Identity by descent estimation with dense genome-wide genotype data.

Han L, Abney M

(Sep 2011) Genetic epidemiology 35(6):557-67 PMID:21769932 (Full Text)

Genetic variance components estimation for binary traits using multiple related individuals.

Papachristou C, Ober C, Abney M

(Jul 2011) Genetic epidemiology 35(5):291-302 PMID:21465547

The CFTR Met 470 allele is associated with lower birth rates in fertile men from a population isolate.

Kosova G, Pickrell JK, Kelley JL, McArdle PF, Shuldiner AR, Abney M, Ober C

(Jun 2010) PLoS genetics 6(6):e1000974 PMID:20532200 (Full Text)

Colloquium papers: Heritability of reproductive fitness traits in a human population.

Kosova G, Abney M, Ober C

(Jan 2010) Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 107 Suppl 1:1772-8 PMID:19822755 (Full Text)

A graphical algorithm for fast computation of identity coefficients and generalized kinship coefficients.

Abney M

(Jun 2009) Bioinformatics (Oxford, England) 25(12):1561-3 PMID:19359355 (Full Text)

Identity-by-descent estimation and mapping of qualitative traits in large, complex pedigrees.

Abney M

(Jul 2008) Genetics 179(3):1577-90 PMID:18622032 (Full Text)

Heritability estimation of sex-specific effects on human quantitative traits.

Pan L, Ober C, Abney M

(May 2007) Genetic epidemiology 31(4):338-47 PMID:17323368

The sex-specific genetic architecture of quantitative traits in humans.

Weiss LA, Pan L, Abney M, Ober C

(Feb 2006) Nature genetics 38(2):218-22 PMID:16429159

Quantitative-trait homozygosity and association mapping and empirical genomewide significance in large, complex pedigrees: fasting serum-insulin level in the Hutterites.

Abney M, Ober C, McPeek MS

(Apr 2002) American journal of human genetics 70(4):920-34 PMID:11880950 (Full Text)

The genetic dissection of complex traits in a founder population.

Ober C, Abney M, McPeek MS

(Nov 2001) American journal of human genetics 69(5):1068-79 PMID:11590547 (Full Text)

Broad and narrow heritabilities of quantitative traits in a founder population.

Abney M, McPeek MS, Ober C

(May 2001) American journal of human genetics 68(5):1302-7 PMID:11309690 (Full Text)

Detection of mis-specified relationships in inbred and outbred pedigrees.

Sun L, Abney M, McPeek MS

(2001) Genetic epidemiology 21 Suppl 1:S36-41 PMID:11793699

Estimation of variance components of quantitative traits in inbred populations.

Abney M, McPeek MS, Ober C

(Feb 2000) American journal of human genetics 66(2):629-50 PMID:10677322 (Full Text)