Patent ID: 9014987
Filing Date: 2015-04-21
Classification: G06T,G16B

Abstract:
1. A computer implemented method for analyzing community structures within a plurality of environmental samples, the method comprising: creating a plurality of metagenomic sequences by sequencing genetic material obtained from each of the plurality of environmental samples, wherein the plurality of the metagenomic sequences are analyzed to identify a corresponding taxonomic group; obtaining, by a processor, a taxonomic summary file corresponding to each of the plurality of the environmental samples, the taxonomic summary file being indicative of an abundance value of the taxonomic group within a corresponding environmental sample; determining, by the processor, the abundance value for each of the taxonomic groups with respect to each of the plurality of environmental samples, based on obtained taxonomic summary files; computing, by the processor, an interaction factor for each pair of the taxonomic groups in the plurality of environmental samples, based on corresponding abundance values, to generate a taxa interaction profile, wherein the interaction factor is indicative of a degree of interaction between a pair of taxonomic groups from among the taxonomic groups, and wherein the taxa interaction profile is indicative of interactions among the taxonomic groups; computing, by the processor, a force vector acting on each of the plurality of the environmental samples due to each of the taxonomic groups, based on the abundance value of each of the taxonomic groups, wherein the force vector is indicative of virtual force exerted by each of the taxonomic groups on the environmental sample; determining, by the processor, a force factor corresponding to each of the plurality of environmental sample, based on the force vectors corresponding to the environmental sample, the force factor being representative of a combined interaction pattern of the constituent taxonomic groups on the corresponding environmental sample; and clustering, by the processor, the plurality of the environmental samples based on corresponding force factors to generate a community structure analysis profile, wherein the community structure analysis profile includes each of the plurality of environmental samples and each of the plurality of taxonomic groups as a node, and wherein an edge is assigned between an environmental sample and a taxonomic group, and wherein, in the community structure analysis profile, the clustering places each of the plurality of environmental samples in the vicinity of one or more environmental samples having a similar community structure and in the vicinity of one or more taxonomic groups that are abundant in the environmental sample.