About xMetaVar
The xMetaVar is an all-in-one, web-based solution for comprehensive microbiome variant analysis. Specifically designed for shotgun metagenomic sequencing data, our platform streamlines the entire workflow from raw reads to biological discovery.
xMetaVar integrates a suite of bioinformatics tools specifically developed and validated for the complexities of metagenomics. This tailored approach enables the robust detection of a full spectrum of genetic variants, including SNPs, INDELs, and SVs. The platform automates data quality control, variant calling, and downstream statistical analysis, culminating in a rich set of interactive visualizations. Our goal is to empower researchers to efficiently process complex metagenomic data, identify key variant sites, and translate genomic information into meaningful insights.
Our Guiding Principles
Accessibility
To make advanced metagenomic variant analysis available to the broader scientific community, regardless of computational expertise, through an intuitive and powerful user interface.
Reproducibility
To ensure analyses are transparent and reproducible by utilizing standardized workflows, providing detailed reports, and offering downloadable results for every step of the process.
Tools & Technology
Our platform integrates a suite of state-of-the-art bioinformatics tools to construct a robust and reproducible analysis pipeline. Explore the key components below to understand the methodology behind xMetaVar.
Reference Databases
The quality and comprehensiveness of reference databases are fundamental to accurate metagenomic variant analysis.
All analysis tools integrated into xMetaVar rely on reference databases. While all tools support the use of custom databases, their default settings vary considerably: some provide built-in databases, others require users to build one from scratch. This inconsistency not only increases the setup burden but also makes it difficult to compare results across tools.
To overcome these issues, xMetaVar adopts a unified reference standard. We curated 43 microbial species that are highly prevalent and abundant in the human gut microbiome, and used them to build individual reference databases for each tool following its own recommended procedure. This approach ensures that all tools share the same biological foundation while remaining technically compatible, allowing users to perform analyses directly without additional setup and to compare results across tools with confidence.
Contact Us
We welcome feedback, questions, and collaboration opportunities regarding xMetaVar. Please feel free to reach out.
Project & Support
For technical support, bug reports, feature requests, or any inquiries related to the xMetaVar platform, please contact us via email or open an issue on our GitHub repository.
Laboratory Website
To learn more about our team and other research projects, please visit our official lab website.