Pantrascriptome

Pantrascriptome

News: Researchers at UC Santa Cruz(UCSC) have now reported on what they suggest is the first-ever method for analyzing RNA sequencing data genome-wide using a “pantranscriptome”. 

What is it and how does it work?
• Pan-transcriptome is a combination of a transcriptome and a pan-genome. It is a reference that contains genetic material from a cohort of diverse individuals, rather than just a single linear strand. 
• The pantranscriptome-concept builds on the emerging concept of “pangenomics” in the genomics field. 
• Typically, when evaluating an individual’s genomic data for variation, scientists compare the individual’s genome to that of a reference made up of a single, linear strand of DNA bases. 
• Using a pangenome allows researchers to compare an individual’s genome to that of a genetically diverse cohort of reference sequences all at once, sourced from individuals representing a diversity of biogeographic ancestry. This gives the scientists more points of comparison for which to better understand an individual’s genomic variation.