NBBC

NBBC quantifies and analyzes the prevalence of non-B DNA-forming motifs (Z-DNA, G-quadruplexes, triplex formations) in cancer genomes to assess their distribution and potential contribution to genetic instability.

Key Features:

• Non-B Burden Metric: Quantifies prevalence of non-B DNA motifs at gene, signature, and genomic site levels using a "non-B burden" score.
• Analysis Modules: Two analysis modules enable exploration of non-B type heterogeneity among gene signatures at gene-level and motif-level resolution.
• Visualization Capabilities: Generates visualizations of analysis outputs to reveal patterns and correlations between non-B DNA motifs and specific genomic regions or gene signatures.
• Cancer Context Integration: Evaluates non-B DNA motif distributions within cancer-specific genomic contexts to investigate their roles in oncogenesis and genetic instability.

Scientific Applications:

• Genomic Research: Characterizing the distribution and impact of Z-DNA, G-quadruplexes, triplex formations, and other non-B DNA motifs across different cancer types.
• Cancer Genomics: Prioritizing candidate biomarkers or therapeutic targets associated with non-B DNA structures in cancer genomes.
• Molecular Biology: Investigating mechanisms by which non-B DNA motifs may promote genetic instability and influence cancer progression.

Methodology:

Calculates a non-B burden metric for non-B DNA-forming sequences and applies that metric within two analysis modules (gene-level and motif-level), with results visualized for interpretation.