Arnold Saxton

Keywords:

Statistics; Data Analysis; Metabolic Pathways; Complex Traits; Quantitative Genetics

Research Area:

Statistical aids for understanding genetic function/pathways; using this genetic information to improve agricultural species

Description of Research:

Throughout its long history, agriculture has engaged in a constant process of genetic improvement. In the last 100 years, the science of quantitative genetics has been developed to provide a firm foundation for this improvement process. Quantitative genetics uses data on performance and pedigree to identify genetically superior individuals, which are then used as parents. Each subsequent generation will have a higher frequency of superior genes. This process requires no knowledge of the genes involved, but does utilize complex statistical models to obtain best predictions of true genetic merit.

The genomic revolution allows researchers to observe new details about how organisms function. The large amounts of data, and complex interactions among genes, need complex statistical models. I am interested in connecting realistic models of gene function, i.e. metabolic pathways, to the observed phenotypes in agriculture, in the expectation that genetic improvement can be made more efficient. Some refer to this as the genome-phenome integration, in agriculture we talk about designer plants and animals, genetically capable of efficient, stress-free production of a safe, wholesome, food and fiber supply.

Currently my focus is on statistical analysis of microarray data, as this source of data is the best view we have of genetic function. As technology improves, and metabolites and proteins can be comprehensively measured, holistic statistical models will be of interest. The ultimate goal is to understand how an organism functions (how do cows produce milk?), and to use that knowledge to geneticaly improve our food supply.

Contact Information

Arnold Saxton
Bioinformatics
Professor, Department of Animal Science

UT
208c Brehm Animal Sciences
2505 River Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996
865-974-2887

Email: asaxton@utk.edu

Degrees

PhD: Animal Science (Genetics & Statistics), North Carolina State University, Raleigh

MS: Fisheries, University of Washington, Seattle

BS: Biology and Chemistry, University of Miami, Florida