ODGI: understanding pangenome graphs

Motivation: Pangenome graphs provide a complete representation of the mutual alignment of collections of genomes. These models offer the opportunity to study the entire genomic diversity of a population, including structurally complex regions. Nevertheless, analyzing hundreds of gigabase-scale genomes using pangenome graphs is difficult as it is not well-supported by existing tools. Hence, fast and versatile software is required to ask advanced questions to such data in an efficient way. Results: We wrote Optimized Dynamic Genome/Graph Implementation (ODGI), a novel suite of tools that implements scalable algorithms and has an efficient in-memory representation of DNA pangenome graphs in the form of variation graphs. ODGI supports pre-built graphs in the Graphical Fragment Assembly format. ODGI includes tools for detecting complex regions, extracting pangenomic loci, removing artifacts, exploratory analysis, manipulation, validation and visualization. Its fast parallel execution facilitates routine pangenomic tasks, as well as pipelines that can quickly answer complex biological questions of gigabase-scale pangenome graphs.

Automated summary

Pangenome graphs provide a complete representation of genomic diversity, but analyzing large-scale genome data using existing tools is challenging. Optimized Dynamic Genome/Graph Implementation (ODGI) is a new tool suite with efficient in-memory representation and support for various operations and visualization. Its parallel execution helps answer complex biological questions quickly.