Identification of Factors That Contribute to the Genetic Variation Across Genome in Plants – a Case Study in Populus.

Extant genetic variation is influenced by both neutral and selective forces, and varies across the genome. Lot of this variation is contributed by different genes showing varying polymorphism patterns, many of which are attributable to both physical and functional factors, and could also depend on selective pressures caused by environment. We in this study analyze the whole-genome polymorphism data from large population samples and identify the factors that contribute to the variation. In order to test our hypothesis, we classify genes based on their polymorphism patterns and study synonymous and non-synonymous variation separately. We then select large number of environmental factors, and some genetic and physiological factors, and use statistical models to identify different factors important in determining the genetic variation. The study is still in progress with results awaiting.