Multiplex structural variant detection by whole-genome mapping and nanopore sequencing

Abstract

Identification of structural variants (SVs) breakpoints is important in studying mutations, mutagenic causes, and functional impacts. Next-generation sequencing and whole-genome optical mapping are extensively used in SV discovery and characterization. However, multiple platforms and computational approaches are needed for comprehensive analysis, making it resource-intensive and expensive. Here, we propose a strategy combining optical mapping and cas9-assisted targeted nanopore sequencing to analyze SVs. Optical mapping can economically and quickly detect SVs across a whole genome but does not provide sequence-level information or precisely resolve breakpoints. Furthermore, since only a subset of all SVs is known to affect biology, we attempted to type a subset of all SVs using targeted nanopore sequencing. Using our approach, we resolved the breakpoints of five deletions, five insertions, and an inversion, in a single experiment.