Methods for the identification of genetic features for complex genetics classifiers

A software method of identifying an association between genetic information and a particular genetic trait, comprising the acts of:

• selecting one candidate single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) combination from a plurality of candidate SNP combinations for a gene associated with a genetic trait;
• reading haplotype data associated with the candidate SNP combination for a plurality of individuals;
• grouping the haplotype data of the plurality of individuals into a positive-responding group and a negative-responding group based on whether a predetermined trait criteria for an individual is met;
• performing a statistical analysis on the grouped haplotype data to obtain a statistical measurement associated with the candidate SNP combination;
• and
• repeating the acts of selecting, reading, grouping, and performing as necessary to identify the candidate SNP combination having an optimal statistical measurement.

A computer program product for identifying an association between genetic information and a particular genetic trait, the computer program product comprising:

• a computer readable medium;
• computer program instructions embedded in the computer readable medium;
• the computer program instructions being executable to perform the following acts:
• selecting one candidate single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) combination from a plurality of candidate SNP combinations for a gene associated with a genetic trait;
• reading haplotype data associated with the candidate SNP combination for a plurality of individuals;
• grouping the haplotype data of the plurality of individuals into a positive-responding group and a negative-responding group based on whether a predetermined trait criteria for an individual is met;
• performing a statistical analysis on the grouped haplotype data to obtain a statistical measurement associated with the candidate SNP combination;
• and
• repeating the acts of selecting, reading, grouping, and performing as necessary to identify the candidate SNP combination having an optimal statistical measurement.

A computer device for developing a genetic classification test, comprising:

• a data selector which selects one candidate single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) combination from a plurality of candidate SNP combinations for a gene associated with a genetic trait;
• a data reader which reads haplotype data associated with the candidate SNP combination for a plurality of individuals;
• a data grouper which groups the haplotype data of the plurality of individuals into a positive-responding group and a negative-responding group based on whether a predetermined trait criteria for an individual is met;
• a statistical analysis processor which performs a statistical analysis on the grouped haplotype data to obtain a statistical measurement associated with the candidate SNP combination;
• and
• a decision component which causes the selecting, reading, grouping, and performing to be repeated as necessary, such that the SNP combination having an optimal statistical measurement is identified.