Introduction to pangenomes and why they are worth exploring

Pangenomes offer an alternative approach to using a singular linear reference genome, which is becoming increasingly important as both the volume and diversity of genomic data grows rapidly. However, transitioning to pangenomics also brings along new terminology and challenges (both biological and computational!), all of which are less clearly defined than in the conventional linear reference world. Here, we'll attempt to define some key differences in pangenomics and how they can improve future genomic analyses.