Variables Map

Plot any two metrics against each other

The Variables map plots your matching iBGCs as a scatter, with metrics you choose on the X and Y axes. It is the view to use when you want to see relationships between attributes — for example, which novel clusters are also large, or how similarity to your query trades off against novelty.

It shows the same result set as the BGC roster and UMAP; only the presentation differs.

The Variables map. Pick any metric for each axis; each point is one iBGC, coloured by gene cluster family.

Choosing axes

Two dropdowns above the plot set the X and Y axes. The always-available choices are:

  • Novelty — distance from the nearest validated cluster.
  • Domain novelty — fraction of domains unique within the GCF.
  • Size (kb) — cluster length.
  • # CDS — number of protein-coding genes.

After you run a search, extra axes become available that carry the query’s score:

  • Query similarity — for a domain or find-similar search (labelled Domain match (Dice) for domain searches).
  • Bitscore, Identity %, and Query coverage % — for a sequence search.

If you pick a query axis without having run a search, the plot prompts you to run one to populate it.

Reading the plot

  • Each point is one iBGC. Points are coloured by gene cluster family, so members of the same GCF share a hue.
  • The pinned reference iBGC is always drawn, even if it would otherwise be filtered out of the plot — so you can locate your anchor against the cloud.
  • Left-click a point to load that iBGC into the Compare panel; right-click for the actions menu (set as reference, find similar, add to shortlist).

A note on missing points

The map omits iBGCs whose chosen axis value cannot be computed. For example, domain novelty is undefined for single-member families, so those iBGCs disappear when domain novelty is on an axis. If a candidate you expect is missing, switch that axis to a metric it has (such as Size or Novelty), or check it in the roster.