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Journal article

Flexible read-aware genotype imputation from sequence using biobank sized reference panels

Abstract:
Inexpensive and accurate genotyping methods are essential to modern genomics and health risk prediction. Here we introduce QUILT2, a scalable and read-aware imputation method that can efficiently use biobank scale haplotype reference panels. This allows for fast and accurate imputation using short reads, as well as long reads (e.g. Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) 1X, r2 = 0.937 at common SNPs), linked-reads and ancient DNA. In addition, QUILT2 contains a methodological innovation that is designed to enable imputation of the maternal and fetal genome using cell free non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) data. Using a UK Biobank reference panel and simulated NIPT data, we see accurate imputation of the mother (0.25X, r2 = 0.966, common SNPs) and modest imputation of the fetus (0.25X, r2 = 0.465, fetal fraction of 10%) at low coverage, with fetal imputation accuracy rising with coverage (4.0X, fetal r2 = 0.894). We show using simulated data that this could enable both GWAS and PRS for the mother and fetus, which could create clinical opportunities, and if phenotypes can be collected alongside clinical NIPT, the potential for large GWAS.
Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.1038/s41467-025-67218-1

Authors

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Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0001-5859-2078
More by this author
Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0001-7306-031X
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Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MPLS
Department:
Statistics
Oxford college:
Somerville College
Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0002-2252-0862


More from this funder
Funder identifier:
https://ror.org/04txyc737
Funding agency for:
Li, Z
Albrechtsen, A
Grant:
NNF20OC0061343


Publisher:
Springer Nature
Journal:
Nature Communications More from this journal
Volume:
17
Issue:
1
Article number:
524
Publication date:
2025-12-13
Acceptance date:
2025-11-25
DOI:
EISSN:
2041-1723
ISSN:
2041-1723


Language:
English
Pubs id:
2350949
UUID:
uuid_37e11d8a-67a3-455b-a0cb-f6453691da00
Local pid:
pubs:2350949
Source identifiers:
W4417321304
Deposit date:
2025-12-18
ARK identifier:

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