Molecular Evolution & Evolutionary Genetics

Genetics of Phenotypic Evolution
My research is focused on using rapid resequencing technologies to identify X-linked genetic variation that contributes to complex disease phenotypes such as autism and X-linked mental retardation. The genetic causes of autism, a common pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), remain largely undiscovered. We are currently using high-throughput resequencing arrays (RAs) to identify X-linked genetic variation that may contribute to autism susceptibility. Using the DNA sequence data that we generate, we then aim to develop and utilize existing bioinformatics software to identify putative disease causing variants.

Recent publications:

• Zwick, M.E., J.L. Salstrom, and C.H. Langley, "Genetic variation in rates of nondisjunction: association of two naturally occurring polymorphisms in the chromokinesin nod with increased rates of nondisjunction in Drosophila melanogaster." Genetics, 1999. 152(4): p. 1605-14.
• Zwick, M.E., D.J. Cutler, and C.H. Langley, "Classic Weinstein: tetrad analysis, genetic variation and achiasmate segregation in Drosophila and humans." Genetics, 1999. 152(4): p. 1615-29.
• Zwick, M.E., D.J. Cutler, and A. Chakravarti, "Patterns of genetic variation in Mendelian and complex traits." Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet, 2000. 1: p. 387-407.
• Cutler, D. J., M. E. Zwick, M. M. Carrasquillo, C. T. Yohn, K. P. Tobin, C. Kashuk, D. J. Mathews, N. A. Shah, E. E. Eichler, J. A. Warrington, A. Chakravarti. 2001. "High-throughput variation detection and genotyping using microarrays." Genome Research 11(11): 1913-25.
• Zwick, M. E., F. Mcafee, D. J. Cutler, T. D. Read, J. Ravel, G. R. Bowman, D. R. Galloway, A. Mateczun. 2004. "Microarray based resequencing of multiple B. anthracis isolates." Genome Biology 6(1): R10. Epub 2004 Dec 17.
• Zwick, M. E. 2005. "A genome sequencing center in every lab." European Journal of Human Genetics 13: 1167-1168.
• Okou, D.T., K.M. Steinberg, C. Middle, D.J. Cutler, T.J. Albert, and M.E. Zwick, "Microarray-based genomic selection for high-throughput resequencing." Nat Methods, 2007. 4(11): p. 907-9.
• Okou, D.T. and M.E. Zwick, The Role of Resequencing Arrays in Revolutionizing DNA Sequencing, in Genome Sequencing Technology and Algorithms, S. Kim, H. Tang, and E.R. Mardis, Editors. 2008, Artech House, Inc.: Boston. p. 25-42. (book chapter, no PDF available)
• Hegde MR, Chin EL, Mulle JG, Okou DT, Warren ST, Zwick ME: "Microarray-based mutation detection in the dystrophin gene". Hum Mutat 2008, 29(9):1091-1099.

Population and Comparative Genomics
Our research aims to implement an experimental framework that can rapidly identify and characterize genomic variation. In particular, we are interested in harnessing next-generation DNA sequencing/resequencing technologies in order to make genomic variation detection rapid and inexpensive. We also are interested in developing bioinformatic tools that enable population genomic analyses of such large datasets. Current projects involve humans, Drosophila, and biodefense pathogens like anthrax.

Recent publications:

• Zwick, M.E., J.L. Salstrom, and C.H. Langley, "Genetic variation in rates of nondisjunction: association of two naturally occurring polymorphisms in the chromokinesin nod with increased rates of nondisjunction in Drosophila melanogaster." Genetics, 1999. 152(4): p. 1605-14.
• Zwick, M.E., D.J. Cutler, and C.H. Langley, "Classic Weinstein: tetrad analysis, genetic variation and achiasmate segregation in Drosophila and humans." Genetics, 1999. 152(4): p. 1615-29.
• Zwick, M.E., D.J. Cutler, and A. Chakravarti, "Patterns of genetic variation in Mendelian and complex traits." Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet, 2000. 1: p. 387-407.
• Cutler, D. J., M. E. Zwick, M. M. Carrasquillo, C. T. Yohn, K. P. Tobin, C. Kashuk, D. J. Mathews, N. A. Shah, E. E. Eichler, J. A. Warrington, A. Chakravarti. 2001. "High-throughput variation detection and genotyping using microarrays." Genome Research 11(11): 1913-25.
• Zwick, M. E., F. Mcafee, D. J. Cutler, T. D. Read, J. Ravel, G. R. Bowman, D. R. Galloway, A. Mateczun. 2004. "Microarray based resequencing of multiple B. anthracis isolates." Genome Biology 6(1): R10. Epub 2004 Dec 17.
• Zwick, M. E. 2005. "A genome sequencing center in every lab." European Journal of Human Genetics 13: 1167-1168.
• Okou, D.T., K.M. Steinberg, C. Middle, D.J. Cutler, T.J. Albert, and M.E. Zwick, "Microarray-based genomic selection for high-throughput resequencing." Nat Methods, 2007. 4(11): p. 907-9.
• Okou, D.T. and M.E. Zwick, The Role of Resequencing Arrays in Revolutionizing DNA Sequencing, in Genome Sequencing Technology and Algorithms, S. Kim, H. Tang, and E.R. Mardis, Editors. 2008, Artech House, Inc.: Boston. p. 25-42. (book chapter, no PDF available)
• Steinberg KM, Okou DT, Zwick ME: "Applying rapid genome sequencing technologies to characterize pathogen genomes". Analytical Chemistry 2008, 80(3):520-528.
• Zwick ME, Kiley MP, Stewart AC, Mateczun A, Read TD: "Genotyping of Bacillus cereus Strains by Microarray-Based Resequencing". PLoS ONE 2008, 3(7):e2513.