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Biomedical subjects

Ambuj K Singh

Publications and source records attributed to Ambuj K Singh.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Integrating multi-attribute similarity networks for robust representation of the protein space.

MOTIVATION: A global view of the protein space is essential for functional and evolutionary analysis of proteins. In order to achieve this, a similarity network can be built using pairwise relationships among proteins. However, existing similarity networks employ a single similarity measure and therefore their utility depends highly on the quality of the selected measure. A more robust representation of the protein space can be realized if multiple sources of information are used. RESULTS: We propose a novel approach for analyzing multi-attribute similarity networks by combining random walks on graphs with Bayesian theory. A multi-attribute network is created by combining sequence and structure based similarity measures. For each attribute of the similarity network, one can compute a measure of affinity from a given protein to every other protein in the network using random walks. This process makes use of the implicit clustering information of the similarity network, and we show that it is superior to naive, local ranking methods. We then combine the computed affinities using a Bayesian framework. In particular, when we train a Bayesian model for automated classification of a novel protein, we achieve high classification accuracy and outperform single attribute networks. In addition, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our technique by comparison with a competing kernel-based information integration approach.

Algorithms↗

Decision tree based information integration for automated protein classification.

We propose a novel technique for automatically generating the SCOP classification of a protein structure with high accuracy. We achieve accurate classification by combining the decisions of multiple methods using the consensus of a committee (or an ensemble) classifier. Our technique, based on decision trees, is rooted in machine learning which shows that by judicially employing component classifiers, an ensemble classifier can be constructed to outperform its components. We use two sequence- and three structure-comparison tools as component classifiers. Given a protein structure and using the joint hypothesis, we first determine if the protein belongs to an existing category (family, superfamily, fold) in the SCOP hierarchy. For the proteins that are predicted as members of the existing categories, we compute their family-, superfamily-, and fold-level classifications using the consensus classifier. We show that we can significantly improve the classification accuracy compared to the individual component classifiers. In particular, we achieve error rates that are 3-12 times less than the individual classifiers' error rates at the family level, 1.5-4.5 times less at the superfamily level, and 1.1-2.4 times less at the fold level.

Algorithms↗

Speeding up whole-genome alignment by indexing frequency vectors.

MOTIVATION: Many biological applications require the comparison of large genome strings. Current techniques suffer from high computational and I/O costs. RESULTS: We propose an efficient technique for local alignment of large genome strings. A space-efficient index is computed for one string, and the second string is compared with this index in order to prune substring pairs that do not contain similar regions. The remaining substring pairs are handed to a hash-table-based tool, such as BLAST, for alignment. A dynamic strategy is employed to optimize the number of disk seeks needed to access the hash table. Additionally, our technique provides the user with a coarse-grained visualization of the similarity pattern, quickly and before the actual search. The experimental results show that our technique aligns genome strings up to two orders of magnitude faster than BLAST. Our technique can be used to accelerate other search tools as well. AVAILABILITY: A web-based demo can be found at http://bioserver.cs.ucsb.edu/. Source code is available from the authors on request.

Databases, Genetic↗

Automated protein classification using consensus decision.

We propose a novel technique for automatically generating the SCOP classification of a protein structure with high accuracy. High accuracy is achieved by combining the decisions of multiple methods using the consensus of a committee (or an ensemble) classifier. Our technique is rooted in machine learning which shows that by judicially employing component classifiers, an ensemble classifier can be constructed to outperform its components. We use two sequence- and three structure-comparison tools as component classifiers. Given a protein structure, using the joint hypothesis, we first determine if the protein belongs to an existing category (family, superfamily, fold) in the SCOP hierarchy. For the proteins that are predicted as members of the existing categories, we compute their family-, superfamily-, and fold-level classifications using the consensus classifier. We show that we can significantly improve the classification accuracy compared to the individual component classifiers. In particular, we achieve error rates that are 3-12 times less than the individual classifiers' error rates at the family level, 1.5-4.5 times less at the superfamily level, and 1.1-2.4 times less at the fold level.

Algorithms↗

Index-based similarity search for protein structure databases.

We propose new methods for finding similarities in protein structure databases. These methods extract feature vectors on triplets of SSEs (Secondary Structure Elements) of proteins. The feature vectors are then indexed using a multidimensional index structure. Our first technique considers the problem of finding proteins similar to a given query protein in a protein dataset. It quickly finds promising proteins using the index structure. These proteins are then aligned to the query protein using a popular pairwise alignment tool such as VAST. We also develop a novel statistical model to estimate the goodness of a match using the SSEs. Our second technique considers the problem of joining two protein datasets to find an all-to-all similarity. Experimental results show that our techniques improve the pruning time of VAST 3 to 3.5 times, while keeping the sensitivity similar. Our technique can also be incorporated with DALI and CE to improve their running times by a factor of 2 and 2.7 respectively. The software is available online at http://bioserver.cs.ucsb.edu/.

Algorithms↗

PSI: indexing protein structures for fast similarity search.

MOTIVATION: We consider the problem of finding similarities in protein structure databases. Current techniques sequentially compare the given query protein to all of the proteins in the database to find similarities. Therefore, the cost of similarity queries increases linearly as the volume of the protein databases increase. As the sizes of experimentally determined and theoretically estimated protein structure databases grow, there is a need for scalable searching techniques. RESULTS: Our techniques extract feature vectors on triplets of SSEs (Secondary Structure Elements). Later, these feature vectors are indexed using a multidimensional index structure. For a given query protein, this index structure is used to quickly prune away unpromising proteins in the database. The remaining proteins are then aligned using a popular alignment tool such as VAST. We also develop a novel statistical model to estimate the goodness of a match using the SSEs. Experimental results show that our techniques improve the pruning time of VAST 3 to 3.5 times while maintaining similar sensitivity.

Algorithms↗

Deriving phylogenetic trees from the similarity analysis of metabolic pathways.

MOTIVATION: Comparative analysis of metabolic pathways in different genomes can give insights into the understanding of evolutionary and organizational relationships among species. This type of analysis allows one to measure the evolution of complete processes (with different functional roles) rather than the individual elements of a conventional analysis. We present a new technique for the phylogenetic analysis of metabolic pathways based on the topology of the underlying graphs. A distance measure between graphs is defined using the similarity between nodes of the graphs and the structural relationship between them. This distance measure is applied to the enzyme-enzyme relational graphs derived from metabolic pathways. Using this approach, pathways and group of pathways of different organisms are compared to each other and the resulting distance matrix is used to obtain a phylogenetic tree. RESULTS: We apply the method to the Citric Acid Cycle and the Glycolysis pathways of different groups of organisms, as well as to the Carbohydrate metabolic networks. Phylogenetic trees obtained from the experiments were close to existing phylogenies and revealed interesting relationships among organisms.

Algorithms↗

Towards index-based similarity search for protein structure databases.

We propose two methods for finding similarities in protein structure databases. Our techniques extract feature vectors on triplets of SSEs (Secondary Structure Elements) of proteins. These feature vectors are then indexed using a multidimensional index structure. Our first technique considers the problem of finding proteins similar to a given query protein in a protein dataset. This technique quickly finds promising proteins using the index structure. These proteins are then aligned to the query protein using a popular pairwise alignment tool such as VAST. We also develop a novel statistical model to estimate the goodness of a match using the SSEs. Our second technique considers the problem of joining two protein datasets to find an all-to-all similarity. Experimental results show that our techniques improve the pruning time of VAST 3 to 3.5 times while keeping the sensitivity similar.

Algorithms↗