I've been thinking about the possible correlation between gene function
and organization. More specifically, whether there is a tendency toward
clustering of genes which play a role in the same physiological pathways,
excluding genes which are related to each other in sequence. I wondered
if it would be possible to test this by somehow using
the genome database (human I suppose) to calculate the average distance
between genes and compare it with the average intergenic distane for genes
which are known to function together.
Does anyone know of software which would allow one to do such an operation
on a genomic database, or if it would be difficult to to write such a
program (for an experinced programmer with some background in molecular
biology)?
Any thoughts or leads on this will be greatly appreciated.
Christopher G. Winter
grad. student
Columbia Univ.
