A framework for assessing 16S rRNA marker-gene survey data analysis methods using mixtures.

摘要

Studies often use 16S rRNA marker-gene surveys (targeted sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene) to characterize microbial communities. The 16S rRNA marker-gene-survey measurement process includes molecular steps to selectively target and sequence the 16S rRNA gene, and computational steps to convert the raw sequence data into a count table of feature relative abundance values [ ]. Both molecular and computational measurement processes contribute to the overall measurement bias and dispersion [ – ]. Datasets that characterize complex microbial communities with some degree of “ground truth” are needed to properly characterize the 16S rRNA marker-gene-survey measurement process accuracy.