Multiple methods exist for calling hits in CRISPR screens. The choice depends on screen design, reference data availability, and desired stringency.
# MAGeCK
pip install mageck
# BAGEL2
pip install bagel
# Or via conda
conda install -c bioconda mageck bagel2Tell your AI agent what you want to do:
- "Call significant hits from my CRISPR screen results"
- "Identify essential genes using multiple methods"
- "Find consensus hits across MAGeCK and BAGEL2"
"Run MAGeCK RRA on my screen and call hits at FDR < 0.1."
"Use BAGEL2 to identify essential genes. I have reference essential and non-essential gene lists."
"Apply drugZ analysis to my drug screen data to find resistance genes."
"What's the appropriate FDR threshold for my exploratory CRISPR screen?"
"I need high-confidence hits. What BAGEL2 Bayes Factor cutoff should I use?"
"Run MAGeCK, BAGEL2, and drugZ on my data and find genes called by at least 2 methods."
"Compare hit lists between different analysis methods. Which genes are consistent?"
"Find genes that drop out (negative selection) in my essentiality screen."
"Identify resistance genes (positive selection) from my drug treatment screen."
- Select appropriate hit-calling method(s)
- Run statistical analysis
- Apply significance thresholds
- Separate positive and negative selection hits
- Generate ranked gene lists
- Optionally find consensus across methods
- Use multiple methods and take consensus for robust hits
- FDR < 0.1 for discovery, FDR < 0.05 for high confidence
- BAGEL2 Bayes Factor > 5 indicates strong evidence
- Z-score |Z| > 3 corresponds to approximately p < 0.003
- Consider both positive and negative selection directions
| Method | Approach | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| MAGeCK RRA | Rank aggregation | General screens, no training data |
| MAGeCK MLE | Maximum likelihood | Complex designs, multiple conditions |
| BAGEL2 | Bayesian | Well-characterized systems with reference genes |
| drugZ | Z-score | Drug screens, simple interpretation |
| Method | Suggestive | Strong | Very Strong |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAGeCK | FDR < 0.1 | FDR < 0.05 | FDR < 0.01 |
| BAGEL2 | BF > 3 | BF > 5 | BF > 10 |
| Z-score | Z | > 2 |
- BAGEL2: doi:10.1186/s13059-019-1749-z
- drugZ: doi:10.1186/s13073-019-0665-3