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The future of next generation sequencing datasets: technological shifts provide opportunities but pose challenges for reproducibility and reusability
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  • Rishi De-Kayne,
  • David Frei,
  • Ryan Greenway,
  • Sofia Mendes,
  • Cas Retel,
  • Philine Feulner
Rishi De-Kayne
Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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David Frei
Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology
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Ryan Greenway
Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology
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Sofia Mendes
Universidade de Lisboa
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Cas Retel
Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology
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Philine Feulner
Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology
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Abstract

Technological advances in DNA sequencing over the last decade now permit the production and curation of large genomic datasets in an increasing number of non-model species. Additionally, this new data provides the opportunity for combining datasets, resulting in larger studies with a broader taxonomic range. Whilst the benefits of new sequencing platforms are obvious, shifts in sequencing technology can also pose challenges for those wishing to combine new sequencing data with data sequenced on older platforms. Here, we outline the types of studies where the use of curated data might be beneficial, and highlight potential biases that might be introduced by combining data from different sequencing platforms. As an example of the challenges associated with combining data across sequencing platforms, we focus on the impact of the shift in Illumina's base calling technology from a four-channel to a two-channel system. We caution that when data is combined from these two systems, erroneous guanine base calls that result from the two-channel chemistry can make their way through a bioinformatic pipeline, eventually leading to inaccurate and potentially misleading conclusions. We also suggest solutions for dealing with such potential artifacts, which make samples sequenced on different sequencing platforms appear more differentiated from one another than they really are. Finally, we stress the importance of archiving tissue samples and the associated sequences for the continued reproducibility and reusability of sequencing data in the face of ever-changing sequencing platform technology.
04 Sep 2020Submitted to Molecular Ecology Resources
11 Sep 2020Submission Checks Completed
11 Sep 2020Assigned to Editor
19 Sep 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
13 Oct 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
26 Oct 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
23 Nov 20201st Revision Received
23 Nov 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
07 Dec 2020Editorial Decision: Accept