Framework and algorithms in metabarcoding

Abstract

In recent days, DNA metabarcoding has enabled us to figure out the ecological community at low cost. Massively parallel sequencers extremely reinforce such ability of metabarcoding. We can also apply metabarcoding technique to elucidating predator-prey relationshps, exploring habitat of larvae, food inspection, pathogen testing and rapid exploration of unknown organisms. A variety of algorithms are used for sequence clustering/assembly, denoising, chimera removal, and taxonomic assignment in metabarcoding. A framework and standard procedure of metabarcoding are described in this review. I also provide theoretical background, brief overview and known problems of those algorithms, and future direction of metabarcoding.