A Composite of Multiple Signals Distinguishes Causal Variants in Regions of Positive Selection

Abstract

Pinpointing Genetic Selection The human genome contains hundreds of regions with evidence of recent positive natural selection, yet, for all but a handful of cases, the underlying advantageous mutation remains unknown. Current methods to detect the signal of selection often results in the identification of a broad genomic region containing many candidate regions that vary among individuals. By combining existing statistical methods, Grossman et al. (p. 883 , published online 7 January) developed a method, termed Composite of Multiple Signals, which can increase the ability to pinpoint the specific variant under selection. Several candidate regions under selection in human populations were identified.