---
layout: default
title: Home
nav_order: 1
description: " A place with the background and the *how to* of the *microbetag* tool"
permalink: /
---
# About
Co-occurrence networks have been widely used for inferring microbial associations or/and interactions from metagenomic data.
However, spurious associations and tool - dependence confine the network inference.
The integration of previous evidence or/and knowledge can increase or decrease the confidence level of the retrieved associations.
This way, associations can be further investigated, and more reliable conclusions can be drawn.
***microbetag*** implements data integration techniques to annotate both the nodes (taxa)
and the edges (predicted associations) of such a network,
to enhance microbial co-occurrence network analysis for amplicon data.
Combined with network clustering and enrichment analysis, *microbetag* can benefit microbial co-occurrence network interpretation and provide hypothesis to be further tested.
A detailed description of [*microbetag*'s modules](./modules/modules.md) outlines the various information channels.
*microbetag* can be used through two [usage modes](./modes.md).
We provide a series of tutorials to guide users through different scenarios and help achieve their specific goals.
### Contact
For hints on how to use microbetag, ideas for new features and bug reports find us on out Matrix space.
If you do not have a Matrix account, it's only two clicks away!
For more information, take some time to check its basics.
### Cite us
Zafeiropoulos, H., Michail Delopoulos, E. I., Erega, A., Schneider, A., Geirnaert, A., Morris, J., & Faust, K. (2024).
microbetag: simplifying microbial network interpretation through annotation,
enrichment tests and metabolic complementarity analysis. bioRxiv, 2024-10.
### Funding
This project was funded by an EMBO Scientific Exchange Grant
and the 3D’omics Horizon 2020 project (101000309).
### License
- *microbetag* is under GNU General Public License v3.0.
For third-party components separate licenses apply.
- The `MGG` Cytoscape App is under Apache License, Version 2.0.