Encore is a self-serve genetic analysis tool that researchers can now run using a point-and-click interface without the need to directly manipulate the genetic data. Only a phenotype file is needed to build a GWAS model with SAIGE (genetics analysis software), launch and monitor job progress, and interactively explore results.
It is geared for a range of disciplines and specialties including biostatistics, epidemiology, neuroscience, gastroenterology, anesthesiology, clinical pharmacy, and bioinformatics.
The tool was developed at the U-M School of Public Health Center for Statistical Genetics and is managed by Precision Health and supported by ITS’s Advanced Research Computing (ARC).
Brock Palen, ARC director, “When someone uses Encore they are actually running on Great Lakes, and we are happy to provide the computational performance behind Encore.”
Using Encore is easy. No coding, command-line/Linux knowledge is required to run GWAS in Encore. Researchers also do not need to have knowledge of batch job submission or scheduling, or have direct access to a high-performance computing cluster. Encore automatically prepares job submission scripts and submits the analysis to the Great Lakes High-Performance Computing Cluster.
Great Lakes is the university’s flagship open-science high-performance computing cluster. It is much faster and more powerful than a laptop, and provides quicker answers and optimized support for simulation, genomics, machine learning, life science, and more. The platform provides a balanced combination of computing power, I/O performance, storage capability, and accelerators.
Visit the Encore wiki page to learn more.
To get started, send an email to PHDataHelp@umich.edu.
For questions about Great Lakes, contact arc-support@umich.edu.
