Tonight I started an EPI2ME Metagenomics workflow to analyze our two 16S runs for the metagenomics class. I also watched the Nanopore Learning Human Genome Sequencing and Analysis course video on “Data Analysis: EPI2ME Labs Introduction.” Anthony Doran, a member of the Technical Services Team with Oxford Nanopore Technologies, described EPI2ME Labs as a “point-and-click” series of workflows in an open-source learning platform. EPI2ME Labs requires Docker. The analysis software is provided by EPI2ME Labs and you do not need to install individual tools. There are several tutorials and different applications. EPI2ME Labs can be connected to data folders from sequencing runs. All the processes are run locally and accessible on your computer in the output folder. The example described in the video was of an interactive notebook. EPI2ME Labs has improved significantly over the last couple of years and months. There are several new workflows and a user-friendly series of menus with explanations. I do agree that EPI2ME Labs requires minimal bioinformatics knowledge and also represents best practice workflows. We are using it in class this semester to share with students analyses.
