Bayesian modeling and inference for motif discovery

Abstract

Motif discovery, which focuses on locating short sequence patterns associated with the regulation of genes in a species, leads to a class of statistical missing data problems. These problems are discussed first with reference to a hypothetical model, which serves as a point of departure for more realistic versions of the model. Some general results relating to modeling and inference through the Bayesian and/or frequentist perspectives are presented, and specific problems arising out of the underlying biology are discussed