Subsections

Identify Variants (WGS-HD)

The Identify Variants (WGS-HD) tool takes trimmed sequencing reads as input and returns identified variants in a Track List.

The tool runs an internal workflow, which starts with mapping the sequencing reads to the human reference sequence. The resulting read mapping is analyzed by the Structural Variant Caller to infer indels and other structural variants from unaligned end read patterns. Subsequently, the mapping is realigned, guided by the indels detected by the Structural Variant Caller. The locally realigned read mapping is analyzed by the Fixed Ploidy Variant Detection tool. The Fixed Ploidy Variant Detection tool produces a track of unfiltered variants; these are post-filtered to remove variants that are likely due to artifacts or noise. The variants called by the Fixed Ploidy Variant Detection tool that pass the post filtering criteria can be found in the Identified variants track. Variants inferred by the Structural Variant Caller, and not detected by the Fixed Ploidy Variant Detection tool, are also subjected to a number of post filters; those that pass the post filter criteria can be found in the Indels indirect evidence track.

A detailed mapping report is created with summaries on the mapping and coverage.

Run the Identify Variants (WGS-HD) workflow

To run the Identify Variants (WGS-HD) workflow, go to:

        Toolbox | Template Workflows | Biomedical Workflows (Image biomedical_twf_folder_open_16_n_p) | Whole Genome Sequencing (Image whole_genome_folder_closed_16_n_p) | Hereditary Disease (Image hereditary_folder_closed_16_n_p) | Identify Variants (WGS-HD) (Image identify_variants_wgs_16_n_p)

  1. Double-click on the Identify Variants (WGS-HD) tool to start the analysis. If you are connected to a server, you will first be asked where you would like to run the analysis.

  2. Select the trimmed sequencing reads you want to analyze (figure 19.33).

    Image reads_iv_wgshd
    Figure 19.33: Specify the trimmed sequencing reads for the sample.

  3. In the next dialog, you have to select which reference data set should be used for the analysis (figure 19.34).

    Image identify_variantshd_wgs
    Figure 19.34: Choose the relevant reference Data Set to identify variants.

  4. Specify the parameters for the Fixed Ploidy Variant Detection tool (figure 19.35).

    The parameters used by the Fixed Ploidy Variant Detection tool can be adjusted. We have optimized the parameters to the individual analyses, but you may want to tweak some of the parameters to fit your particular sequencing data. A good starting point could be to run an analysis with the default settings.

    Image fp_settings_iv_wgshd
    Figure 19.35: Specify the parameters for the Fixed Ploidy Variant Detection tool.

    The parameters that can be set are:

    • Required variant probability is the minimum probability value of the 'variant site' required for the variant to be called. Note that it is not the minimum value of the probability of the individual variant. For the Fixed Ploidy Variant detector, if a variant site - and not the variant itself - passes the variant probability threshold, then the variant with the highest probability at that site will be reported even if the probability of that particular variant might be less than the threshold. For example if the required variant probability is set to 0.9 then the individual probability of the variant called might be less than 0.9 as long as the probability of the entire variant site is greater than 0.9.
    • Ignore broken pairs: When ticked, reads from broken pairs are ignored. Broken pairs may arise for a number of reasons, one being erroneous mapping of the reads. In general, variants based on broken pair reads are likely to be less reliable, so ignoring them may reduce the number of spurious variants called. However, broken pairs may also arise for biological reasons (e.g. due to structural variants) and if they are ignored some true variants may go undetected. Please note that ignored broken pair reads will not be considered for any non-specific match filters.
    • Minimum coverage: Only variants in regions covered by at least this many reads are called.
    • Minimum count: Only variants that are present in at least this many reads are called.
    • Minimum frequency: Only variants that are present at least at the specified frequency (calculated as 'count'/'coverage') are called.

  5. In the last wizard step you can check the selected settings by clicking on the button labeled Preview All Parameters. In the Preview All Parameters wizard you can only check the settings, and if you wish to make changes you have to use the Previous button from the wizard to edit parameters in the relevant windows.

  6. Choose to Save your results and click on the button labeled Finish.

Output from the Identify Variants (WGS-HD) workflow

The following outputs are generated: