Genomic research has come a long way since the draft of the human genome was first published over two decades ago, driven by the continuous advancements in next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies. One of the most transformative methods to emerge from these developments is Hi-C, a library preparation technique that provides unique insights into the three-dimensional organization of the genome. However, analyzing Hi-C data presents its own set of challenges, particularly regarding data normalization. In this webinar, we’ll delve into the intricacies of Hi-C data normalization, providing you with an understanding of its importance and the various tools and methods available for this critical step in the analysis pipeline.

Presented by:  Myriam Elkhawand, Ph.D.

3D genomics explores the influence that chromatin architecture plays in gene regulation. The primary method employed is Hi-C. With Hi-C coming in many flavors and forms, it can be overwhelming to know which assay is going to work best for your research goals.

Join us for this technical webinar where we will go into the ins and outs of the different Hi-C methods and chemistries, provide guidance on when to choose a particular option, and discuss the implications of that choice.

Ellie Armstrong, Ph.D. Candidate Stanford University

Steven Salzberg, Ph.D. Johns Hopkins University

Anthony Geneva, Ph.D. Drexel University

Susan Strickler, Ph.D. Boyce Thompson Institute

Vanessa L. González, Ph.D. Smithsonian Institution

We generated a reference-quality genome Solemya velum (Bivalvia: Protobranchia) to allow us to test hypotheses about mollusc genome evolution and the symbiotic interactions in marine molluscs. 10X Genomics, PacBio Long-reads and Hi-C data was leveraged for molluscan genome assembly. Iterations and combinations of each data type have resulted in a 2.4 GB reference genome with a scaffold N50 of 200 MB and a BUSCO completeness score of 93.7%.

Harris Lewin, Ph.D.UC Davis

Trace the directed evolution of 28 genome assemblies of the Narwhal, an iconic cetacean known at the “unicorn of the sea”. While understanding the evolution and amazing phenotypes of the Narwhal is the ultimate goal, the evolution of genome assemblies from short-read to long read-based assemblies with Dovetail scaffolding has been an interesting scientific journey in itself. Different sequencing approaches will be discussed in the light of genome assembly evolution, and their importance for understanding genome biology.

Cory Padilla, Ph.D. Dovetail Genomics

Key discussion points:
– The role of genome conformation in gene regulation
– Why integrating conformation data with genotyping data can provide a more complete view of variants
– How to capture variants (SNVs and structural variants) with conformation in a single sequencing library

Cory Padilla, Ph.D. Dovetail Genomics