PyDESeq2

Overview

PyDESeq2 is a Python implementation of DESeq2 for differential expression analysis with bulk RNA-seq data. Design and execute complete workflows from data loading through result interpretation, including single-factor and multi-factor designs, Wald tests with multiple testing correction, optional apeGLM shrinkage, and integration with pandas and AnnData.

When to Use This Skill

This skill should be used when:

• Analyzing bulk RNA-seq count data for differential expression
• Comparing gene expression between experimental conditions (e.g., treated vs control)
• Performing multi-factor designs accounting for batch effects or covariates
• Converting R-based DESeq2 workflows to Python
• Integrating differential expression analysis into Python-based pipelines
• Users mention "DESeq2", "differential expression", "RNA-seq analysis", or "PyDESeq2"

Quick Start Workflow

For users who want to perform a standard differential expression analysis:

import pandas as pd
from pydeseq2.dds import DeseqDataSet
from pydeseq2.ds import DeseqStats

# 1. Load data
counts_df = pd.read_csv("counts.csv", index_col=0).T  # Transpose to samples × genes
metadata = pd.read_csv("metadata.csv", index_col=0)

# 2. Filter low-count genes
genes_to_keep = counts_df.columns[counts_df.sum(axis=0) >= 10]
counts_df = counts_df[genes_to_keep]

# 3. Initialize and fit DESeq2
dds = DeseqDataSet(
    counts=counts_df,
    metadata=metadata,
    design="~condition",
    refit_cooks=True
)
dds.deseq2()

# 4. Perform statistical testing
ds = DeseqStats(dds, contrast=["condition", "treated", "control"])
ds.summary()

# 5. Access results
results = ds.results_df
significant = results[results.padj < 0.05]
print(f"Found {len(significant)} significant genes")

Core Workflow Steps

Step 1: Data Preparation

Input requirements:

• Count matrix: Samples × genes DataFrame with non-negative integer read counts
• Metadata: Samples × variables DataFrame with experimental factors

Common data loading patterns:

# From CSV (typical format: genes × samples, needs transpose)
counts_df = pd.read_csv("counts.csv", index_col=0).T
metadata = pd.read_csv("metadata.csv", index_col=0)

# From TSV
counts_df = pd.read_csv("counts.tsv", sep="\t", index_col=0).T

# From AnnData
import anndata as ad
adata = ad.read_h5ad("data.h5ad")
counts_df = pd.DataFrame(adata.X, index=adata.obs_names, columns=adata.var_names)
metadata = adata.obs

Data filtering:

# Remove low-count genes
genes_to_keep = counts_df.columns[counts_df.sum(axis=0) >= 10]
counts_df = counts_df[genes_to_keep]

# Remove samples with missing metadata
samples_to_keep = ~metadata.condition.isna()
counts_df = counts_df.loc[samples_to_keep]
metadata = metadata.loc[samples_to_keep]

Step 2: Design Specification

The design formula specifies how gene expression is modeled.

Single-factor designs:

design = "~condition"  # Simple two-group comparison

Multi-factor designs:

design = "~batch + condition"  # Control for batch effects
design = "~age + condition"     # Include continuous covariate
design = "~group + condition + group:condition"  # Interaction effects

Design formula guidelines:

• Use Wilkinson formula notation (R-style)
• Put adjustment variables (e.g., batch) before the main variable of interest
• Ensure variables exist as columns in the metadata DataFrame
• Use appropriate data types (categorical for discrete variables)

Step 3: DESeq2 Fitting

Initialize the DeseqDataSet and run the complete pipeline:

from pydeseq2.dds import DeseqDataSet

dds = DeseqDataSet(
    counts=counts_df,
    metadata=metadata,
    design="~condition",
    refit_cooks=True,  # Refit after removing outliers
    n_cpus=1           # Parallel processing (adjust as needed)
)

# Run the complete DESeq2 pipeline
dds.deseq2()

What deseq2() does:

1. Computes size factors (normalization)
2. Fits genewise dispersions
3. Fits dispersion trend curve
4. Computes dispersion priors
5. Fits MAP dispersions (shrinkage)
6. Fits log fold changes
7. Calculates Cook's distances (outlier detection)
8. Refits if outliers detected (optional)

Step 4: Statistical Testing

Perform Wald tests to identify differentially expressed genes:

from pydeseq2.ds import DeseqStats

ds = DeseqStats(
    dds,
    contrast=["condition", "treated", "control"],  # Test treated vs control
    alpha=0.05,                # Significance threshold
    cooks_filter=True,         # Filter outliers
    independent_filter=True    # Filter low-power tests
)

ds.summary()

Contrast specification:

• Format: [variable, test_level, reference_level]
• Example: ["condition", "treated", "control"] tests treated vs control
• If None, uses the last coefficient in the design

Result DataFrame columns:

• baseMean: Mean normalized count across samples
• log2FoldChange: Log2 fold change between conditions
• lfcSE: Standard error of LFC
• stat: Wald test statistic
• pvalue: Raw p-value
• padj: Adjusted p-value (FDR-corrected via Benjamini-Hochberg)

Step 5: Optional LFC Shrinkage

Apply shrinkage to reduce noise in fold change estimates:

ds.lfc_shrink()  # Applies apeGLM shrinkage

When to use LFC shrinkage:

• For visualization (volcano plots, heatmaps)
• For ranking genes by effect size
• When prioritizing genes for follow-up experiments

Important: Shrinkage affects only the log2FoldChange values, not the statistical test results (p-values remain unchanged). Use shrunk values for visualization but report unshrunken p-values for significance.

Step 6: Result Export

Save results and intermediate objects:

import pickle

# Export results as CSV
ds.results_df.to_csv("deseq2_results.csv")

# Save significant genes only
significant = ds.results_df[ds.results_df.padj < 0.05]
significant.to_csv("significant_genes.csv")

# Save DeseqDataSet for later use
with open("dds_result.pkl", "wb") as f:
    pickle.dump(dds.to_picklable_anndata(), f)

Common Analysis Patterns

Two-Group Comparison

Standard case-control comparison:

dds = DeseqDataSet(counts=counts_df, metadata=metadata, design="~condition")
dds.deseq2()

ds = DeseqStats(dds, contrast=["condition", "treated", "control"])
ds.summary()

results = ds.results_df
significant = results[results.padj < 0.05]

Multiple Comparisons

Testing multiple treatment groups against control:

dds = DeseqDataSet(counts=counts_df, metadata=metadata, design="~condition")
dds.deseq2()

treatments = ["treatment_A", "treatment_B", "treatment_C"]
all_results = {}

for treatment in treatments:
    ds = DeseqStats(dds, contrast=["condition", treatment, "control"])
    ds.summary()
    all_results[treatment] = ds.results_df

    sig_count = len(ds.results_df[ds.results_df.padj < 0.05])
    print(f"{treatment}: {sig_count} significant genes")

Accounting for Batch Effects

Control for technical variation:

# Include batch in design
dds = DeseqDataSet(counts=counts_df, metadata=metadata, design="~batch + condition")
dds.deseq2()

# Test condition while controlling for batch
ds = DeseqStats(dds, contrast=["condition", "treated", "control"])
ds.summary()

Continuous Covariates

Include continuous variables like age or dosage:

# Ensure continuous variable is numeric
metadata["age"] = pd.to_numeric(metadata["age"])

dds = DeseqDataSet(counts=counts_df, metadata=metadata, design="~age + condition")
dds.deseq2()

ds = DeseqStats(dds, contrast=["condition", "treated", "control"])
ds.summary()

Using the Analysis Script

This skill includes a complete command-line script for standard analyses:

# Basic usage
python scripts/run_deseq2_analysis.py \
  --counts counts.csv \
  --metadata metadata.csv \
  --design "~condition" \
  --contrast condition treated control \
  --output results/

# Wit