Related genes ideogram
Augment gene search through genome visualization
Eric Weitz
[email protected]
https://github.com/eweitz/ideogram
Design Affinity Group meeting
Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
2022-05-06
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Help users explore and discover genomic data by widening search results.
Challenges:
● Users must know genes a priori that are related to a gene they search
● Scarce screen real estate for new UI components
● Visualizing search results in genomic space is useful but hard
Design goal
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Related results in domain-specific search UIs
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Localizable results are mapped in generic search UIs
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Localizable results are mapped in generic search UIs
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Related genes
For a given gene, it is easy to find two kinds of related genes:
● Interacting genes: Adjacent nodes in the same biochemical pathway.
● Paralogs: evolutionarily similar genes in same species. Often have comparable roles in
different pathways.
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Related genes for LPL
https://eweitz.github.io/ideogram/related-genes?q=LPL
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Why chromosomes?
● Gene expression often correlates in genomic neighborhood.
● Cytogenetic features (e.g. centromeres, stalks) can explain null results.
● Ideogram geometry is familiar, compact, and engaging
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Design considerations
Benefits of showing related genes in an ideogram:
● Space efficient. Short, wide row of chromosomes uses empty page real estate.
● Easy interaction. Plotting genes as large features makes them easy to see and click.
● Domain specific. Users engage and recall more with tailored graphics than generic lists.
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Big, easily clickable features.
Triggers new genomic search.
Brief, noticeable legend and
call to action
Short and wide
Show many genomic search results in the space of a few rows.
Design at a glance
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Tooltips for related genes aid discovery
https://eweitz.github.io/ideogram/related-genes?q=LPL