massMap

massMap performs two-stage microbial association mapping that integrates taxonomic-tree information and advanced false discovery rate control to identify taxa associated with outcomes at target taxonomic ranks such as genus or species.

Key Features:

• Two-Stage Framework: First stage screens groups at a higher taxonomic rank using OMiAT (Optimal Microbial Association Test), and second stage conducts detailed tests on candidate taxa within significant groups at the target rank.
• Utilization of Taxonomic Tree: Incorporates the evolutionary relationships encoded in the taxonomic tree to borrow strength across related taxa and increase statistical power.
• Advanced FDR Control: Evaluates hierarchical Benjamini-Hochberg (HBH) and selected subset testing (SST) procedures to control the false discovery rate across hierarchical tests.

Scientific Applications:

• Microbial association discovery: Detects associations between microbial taxa and pathological or health-related outcomes at genus- or species-level resolution using hierarchical information.
• Enhanced statistical inference: Improves power to identify associated species and yields smaller adjusted p-values compared to traditional non-hierarchical methods.

Methodology:

Initial screening at a higher taxonomic rank using OMiAT; follow-up targeted testing within significant groups at the target rank; and application of hierarchical Benjamini-Hochberg (HBH) and selected subset testing (SST) procedures for FDR control.