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*GATK v3.1-1-g07a4bf8
*GATK v3.1-1-g07a4bf8
*vt normalize v0.5
*vt normalize v0.5
= Here is an example where this normalization algorithm fails =
We distinguish the concepts of normalization and decomposition/reconstruction of variants as follows:
Normalization involves reducing representations of a variant to a canonical representation. Normalization can be applied to biallelic variants or multiallelic variants. The problem of normalization is solvable and there exists a unique representation that is left aligned and parsimonious. Mathematical proof is published. [http://bioinformatics.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2015/03/22/bioinformatics.btv112]
Decomposition of variants involves the breaking down of a variant record into multiple records. It may be done vertically - as in multiallelics becoming biallelics or it can be done horizontally - a cluster of indels and SNPs represented as a complex variant being splitted up into several records. Horizontal decompositions in general do not have a unique solution. Similarly, reconstruction combines several variant records into a single record and can be done vertically and horizontally too. Vertical decomposition of a multiallelic variant to a set of biallelic records is a many to one function. Construction of a set of biallelic variants into a multiallelic record is not unique as you need to considered all possible permutations of the haplotypes containing your alleles.
If your example contains the decomposition or reconstruction of variants, then it is probable that you can find inconsistencies.
It is important to distinguish the difference between normalization and decomposition/reconstruction. The notion of normalization implies that a variant can be reduced to a standardized form. If you were to include decomposition and reconstruction in your notion of normalization, you are bound to find inconsistencies simply due to the inherent issues of identifiability.
When performing decomposition and construction, I think the following factors should be considered:
* Are your variants describing just a single individual or a population?
* Are the genotypes (if any) in your individual(s) phased?
Depending on the context, you will obtain different answers.
[https://github.com/atks/vt/issues/16 An example of inconsistent variant representation due to using vt normalize]
= Citation =
= Citation =
