ReFDash

ReFDash aggregates inferred functional profiles from 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to enable metagenomic functional inference and cross-environment comparison.

Key Features:

• Functional Dashboard Repository: Hosts inferred function dashboards derived from public 16S metagenomic studies and centralizes inferred functional profiles.
• Comparative Analytics Tool: Enables comparative analysis of inferred functional profiles across up to three metagenomic environments simultaneously.
• Community-Driven Framework: Accepts contributed inferred function data to expand and diversify the repository.
• Data Linking: Provides direct links between inferred function dashboards and associated taxonomic files and metadata.

Scientific Applications:

• Inferred function metagenomic analysis: Enables derivation and comparison of functional insights from taxonomic abundance profiles across domains including human health, environmental microbiology, and biotechnology.

Methodology:

Developed as an extension of the iVikodak function inference tool, ReFDash integrates a central database; the platform hosts approximately 18,000 microbiome samples from around 50 functional dashboards, with each entry linked to associated taxonomic files and metadata.