Abstract
In the face of new multidimensional genomic data, visual tools are essential for exploring data, discovering patterns, and rationalizing and disseminating results. Within the field of genomics, this pursuit is often confounded by not only the size of the data but the variety of scales at which features are visible. Genome-wide interaction maps produced by Chromosome Conformation Capture techniques such as Hi-C are particularly challenging as patterns emerge at a range of scales from kilobases to hundreds of megabases. Since automatic detection and classification of these features yield ambiguous results, visual exploration and assessment is essential for analysis of Hi-C data and its comparison with other genomic tracks, requiring navigation and comparison across multiple loci, multiple resolutions and multiple samples. Here we present HiGlass, an open source visualization tool built on web technologies that provides a rich interface for rapid, multiplex, and multiscale navigation of 2D genomic maps alongside 1D genomic tracks, allowing users to combine various data types, synchronize multiple visualization modalities, and effortlessly share fully customizable views with others. We demonstrate its utility in exploring different experimental conditions, comparing the results of analyses, and creating interactive snapshots to share with collaborators and the broader public. HiGlass is accessible online at http://higlass.io and is also available as a containerized application that can be run on any platform.
