Taxonomer: an interactive metagenomics analysis portal for universal pathogen detection and host mRNA expression profiling
BackgroundHigh throughput sequencing enables unbiased profiling of microbial communities, universal pathogen detection, and host response to infectious diseases. However, computation times and algorithmic inaccuracies have hindered adoption.ResultsWe present Taxonomer, an ultrafast, web tool for comprehensive metagenomics data analysis and interactive results visualization. Taxonomer is unique in providing integrated nucleotide and protein based classification and simultaneous host messenger RNA (mRNA) transcript profiling. Using real world case studies, we show that Taxonomer detects previously unrecognized infections and reveals antiviral host mRNA expression profiles. To facilitate data sharing across geographic distances in outbreak settings, Taxonomer is publicly available through a web based user interface.ConclusionsTaxonomer enables rapid, accurate, and interactive analyses of metagenomics data on personal computers and mobile devices.
Genome Biology