IgDiscover

IgDiscover identifies germline immunoglobulin variable (V) genes from expressed antibody repertoires to enable accurate characterization of B-cell receptor diversity across heavy, kappa, and lambda chains.

Key Features:

• Cluster identification and filtering: Employs a novel cluster identification method to generate candidate V sequences and filters these candidates to construct individualized germline V gene databases tailored to specific species or strains.
• Chain support: Analyzes heavy chains and both kappa and lambda light chains, enabling discovery of VH, VK, and VL genes.
• Reported specificity: Produces germline V gene predictions with reported 100% specificity from expressed repertoires.
• Cross-species validation: Validated across multiple species including human and mouse using genomic cloning and cross-library comparisons.
• Comprehensive gene databases: Generates extensive immunoglobulin gene databases even with limited genomic sequence availability, demonstrated for Indian- and Chinese-origin rhesus macaques.
• Novel allele discovery: Facilitated identification of novel alleles, including a new human IGHV3-21 allele.
• Strain-specific insights: Confirms substantial immunoglobulin gene differences between mouse strains such as Balb/c and C57BL6.

Scientific Applications:

• B-cell repertoire characterization: Enables accurate mapping of germline V genes to improve analysis of expressed antibody repertoires.
• Comparative immunogenetics: Supports cross-species and strain-level comparisons of immunoglobulin gene content and diversity.
• Allele discovery and cataloging: Facilitates detection and documentation of novel IgV alleles for reference database expansion.
• Resource generation for poorly characterized species: Produces species-specific germline V gene databases where genomic references are limited, aiding downstream immunological and vaccine studies.

Methodology:

Performs novel cluster identification to generate candidate V sequences, filters candidates to build individualized germline V gene databases, and conducts cross-library comparisons.