Jornal de Genômica Clínica e Médica

In the Age of Genomics, Statistical Tests of Selective Neutrality

Abstract

Jennifer Blessy

The study of genetics has revolutionized our understanding of evolution and the processes that drive it. One important area of research in genetics is the study of natural selection, the process by which advantageous traits become more common in a population over time. In order to understand natural selection, researchers use statistical tests to determine whether changes in the frequency of genetic variants are due to selection or chance. With the advent of genomics, the ability to study the entire genome has allowed for more powerful statistical tests of selective neutrality. In this essay, we will discuss the history of statistical tests of selective neutrality, including the development of the neutral theory of molecular evolution. We will then discuss some of the common statistical tests used to detect selective neutrality in genomic data, including tests of allele frequency, haplotype structure, and population differentiation. Finally, we will discuss the challenges and limitations of these tests and the future directions of research in this field.