Biological sequence distance explorer system providing user visualization of genomic distance between a set of genomes in a dynamic zoomable fashion

Abstract

One embodiment provides for a method including determining, by at least one processor, sequence-sequence distances for a biological sequence collection. The at least one processor generates a matrix Mij of the sequence-sequence distances, where i and j are positive integers. The at least one processor further generates clusters for the matrix Mij by performing hierarchical clustering. A self-consistent taxonomy is created from the clusters. A visual heat map display of the matrix Mij is selectively controlled using metadata, zoom input and opacity input.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 receiving a selection of a group of genomes;   generating, by at least one processor, a heat map panel;   displaying a visualization comprising the heat map panel;   highlighting one or more genomes of the selected group in the heat map panel with a translucent overlay;   measuring genome-genome distance between the one or more genomes; and   highlighting, based on the genome-genome distance, one or more additional genomes nearest to the one or more genomes with an additional translucent overlay.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more additional genomes has the smallest genome-genome distance to the one or more genomes. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more genomes and the one or more additional genomes are highlighted simultaneously. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more genomes and the one or more additional genomes are highlighted one at a time. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing a metadata window for display in response to location of a pointer on the heat map panel, wherein the metadata window shows information about two genomes at the location.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the visualization further comprises a taxonomic tree that dynamically scans and zooms with the heat map panel. 
     
     
         7 . A computer program product for selectable control for self-consistent taxonomy for sequence distances, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewith, the program instructions executable by at least one processor to cause the at least one processor to:
 receive a selection of a group of genomes;   generate a heat map panel;   display a visualization comprising the heat map panel;   highlight one or more genomes of the selected group in the heat map panel with a translucent overlay;   measure genome-genome distance between the one or more genomes; and   highlight, based on the genome-genome distance, one or more additional genomes nearest to the one or more genomes with an additional translucent overlay.   
     
     
         8 . The computer program product of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more additional genomes has the smallest genome-genome distance to the one or more genomes. 
     
     
         9 . The computer program product of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more genomes and the one or more additional genomes are highlighted simultaneously. 
     
     
         10 . The computer program product of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more genomes and the one or more additional genomes are highlighted one at a time. 
     
     
         11 . The computer program product of  claim 7 , wherein the program instructions are further executable by the at least one processor to cause the at least one processor to:
 provide a metadata window for display in response to location of a pointer on the heat map panel, wherein the metadata window shows information about two genomes at the location.   
     
     
         12 . The computer program product of  claim 7 , wherein the visualization further comprises a taxonomic tree that dynamically scans and zooms with the heat map panel. 
     
     
         13 . A system comprising:
 a memory storing instructions; and   at least one processor that executes the instructions to perform a process comprising:
 receiving a selection of a group of genomes; 
 generating, by at least one processor, a heat map panel; 
 displaying a visualization comprising the heat map panel; 
 highlighting one or more genomes of the selected group in the heat map panel with a translucent overlay; 
 measuring genome-genome distance between the one or more genomes; and 
 highlighting, based on the genome-genome distance, one or more additional genomes nearest to the one or more genomes with an additional translucent overlay. 
   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more additional genomes has the smallest genome-genome distance to the one or more genomes. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more genomes and the one or more additional genomes are highlighted simultaneously. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more genomes and the one or more additional genomes are highlighted one at a time. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the process further comprises:
 providing a metadata window for display in response to location of a pointer on the heat map panel, wherein the metadata window shows information about two genomes at the location.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the visualization further comprises a taxonomic tree that dynamically scans and zooms with the heat map panel.