title: Genetic variation and the de novo assembly of human genomes.
abstract: The discovery of genetic variation and the assembly of genome sequences are both inextricably linked to advances in DNA-sequencing technology. Short-read massively parallel sequencing has revolutionized our ability to discover genetic variation but is insufficient to generate high-quality genome assemblies or resolve most structural variation. Full resolution of variation is only guaranteed by complete de novo assembly of a genome. Here, we review approaches to genome assembly, the nature of gaps or missing sequences, and biases in the assembly process. We describe the challenges of generating a complete de novo genome assembly using current technologies and the impact that being able to perfectly sequence the genome would have on understanding human disease and evolution. Finally, we summarize recent technological advances that improve both contiguity and accuracy and emphasize the importance of complete de novo assembly as opposed to read mapping as the primary means to understanding the full range of human genetic variation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Foege Building S-413A, Box 355065, 3720 15th Ave NE, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA.
authors.forename: Mark J P
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Chaisson
authors.affiliation: McDonnell Genome Institute, Department of Medicine, Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63108, USA.
authors.forename: Richard K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Foege Building S-413A, Box 355065, 3720 15th Ave NE, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA.|Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA.
authors.forename: Evan E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Eichler
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D002874:Chromosome Mapping / Q000379:methods; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D014644:Genetic Variation; D015894:Genome, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D023281:Genomics / Q000379:methods*; D006239:Haplotypes; D059014:High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data