Functional annotation

Functional annotation of metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) involves the identification and classification of genes within these reconstructed genomes to understand their roles and potential functions. MAGs are recovered from DNA directly extracted from complex microbial communities, bypassing the need to culture the organisms.

This process provides insights into the genes that code for enzymes, transporters, and other proteins critical to the survival and function of the microbes in various ecosystems. Annotating these genomes allows for the study of their contributions to nutrient cycles, disease processes, or specialized ecological functions, to name only a few examples.

This workflow outlines the step-by-step process for functional annotation of MAGs or contigs using tools like EggNOG and the Diamond aligner in QIIME2.

For more information on the tools used in this workflow, refer to their official documentation:

• EggNOG-mapper: https://github.com/eggnogdb/eggnog-mapper
• DIAMOND: https://github.com/bbuchfink/diamond
• QIIME 2: https://github.com/qiime2