Integrating mapping-, assembly- and haplotype-based approaches for calling variants in clinical sequencing applications

Nat Genet. 2014 Aug;46(8):912-918. doi: 10.1038/ng.3036. Epub 2014 Jul 13.

Abstract

High-throughput DNA sequencing technology has transformed genetic research and is starting to make an impact on clinical practice. However, analyzing high-throughput sequencing data remains challenging, particularly in clinical settings where accuracy and turnaround times are critical. We present a new approach to this problem, implemented in a software package called Platypus. Platypus achieves high sensitivity and specificity for SNPs, indels and complex polymorphisms by using local de novo assembly to generate candidate variants, followed by local realignment and probabilistic haplotype estimation. It is an order of magnitude faster than existing tools and generates calls from raw aligned read data without preprocessing. We demonstrate the performance of Platypus in clinically relevant experimental designs by comparing with SAMtools and GATK on whole-genome and exome-capture data, by identifying de novo variation in 15 parent-offspring trios with high sensitivity and specificity, and by estimating human leukocyte antigen genotypes directly from variant calls.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Chromosome Mapping / methods*
  • Exome
  • Genome, Human
  • Genomic Structural Variation*
  • Genotype
  • HLA Antigens / genetics
  • Haplotypes
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing / methods*
  • Humans
  • Mutation
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA / methods*
  • Software

Substances

  • HLA Antigens