MultiFAST5

MultiFAST5 is a file format extension used in bioinformatics, specifically for storing and processing high-throughput sequencing data. It is an extension of the FAST5 format, which was developed to store raw reads from Oxford Nanopore Technologies sequencers. The "Multi" in MultiFAST5 signifies its ability to handle multiple files or data streams within a single file structure. This is particularly useful for organizing and managing the large volumes of data generated by modern sequencing experiments, where data from different runs or sample preparations might otherwise be kept in separate files.

The core advantage of MultiFAST5 is improved data organization and potentially faster access times by consolidating related data. Instead of having numerous individual FAST5 files, a MultiFAST5 file can contain data for multiple sequencing runs or multiple samples, each organized within its own group or hierarchy. This can simplify data management workflows, reduce the overhead associated with opening and closing many small files, and facilitate batch processing. The format is designed to be compatible with existing bioinformatics tools that can process FAST5 data, often requiring minimal or no modification to work with MultiFAST5 files. Its adoption aims to streamline the handling of ever-increasing datasets in fields like genomics, transcriptomics, and epigenomics.