FRGEpistasis

FRGEpistasis is an innovative software tool designed to overcome the challenges of analyzing interactions between rare genetic variants using next-generation sequencing (NGS) data. Traditional statistical methods for interaction analysis are typically geared towards common variants and need help with the computational demands and low detection power when applied to rare variants. FRGEpistasis addresses these challenges by shifting the focus from interaction analysis between two individual loci to between two sets of loci or genomic regions. This approach allows for the collective testing of interactions among all possible pairs of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within two genomic regions.

Utilizing high-dimensional data reduction and functional data analysis techniques, FRGEpistasis employs a novel functional regression model to test these interactions efficiently. This method maintains correct type 1 error rates and significantly enhances the ability to detect interactions compared to traditional pairwise interaction analysis methods.