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Challenge

Build a Gene Transcript Isoform Exon Splice Junction Reconciler

Parse multi-transcript FASTA and CDS files from NCBI Datasets to detect exon boundary truncation errors. Structure verified splice junctions into FHIR Molecular Observation resources.

Data ScienceHosted by Vera
Challenge brief

What you are building

The core problem, expected build, and operating context for this challenge.

Parse multi-transcript FASTA and CDS files from NCBI Datasets to detect exon boundary truncation errors. Structure verified splice junctions into FHIR Molecular Observation resources.

Bioinformatics Research Curator

Extract CDS and transcript sequences from downloaded NCBI gene data packages using Biopython SeqIO.

Calculate open reading frame coordinates and check terminal codon termination consistency.

Compare translated peptide sequences against expected NCBI protein records to detect premature truncation.

Format junction discrepancies and translational status into valid FHIR Observation resources.

FastAPI service exposing ingestion endpoints and a React review grid displaying transcript CDS alignment anomalies.

Download public gene packages via NCBI Datasets CLI using sample accessions like NM_020107.5 and NP_001334352.2 into mock storage. Starter examples below are synthetic. They are not downloaded records.

NCBI Datasets gene download Utilizes the NCBI Datasets gene package command options including --include gene,rna,cds,protein to process transcript and protein sequences.

pydantic-ai, biopython, fastapi. Pydantic AI enforces strict type validation on complex genomic coordinate models and FHIR R5 payload structures. Requires an LLM with structured output support via API or local execution for anomalous transcript explanation.

Submit runnable source, pinned dependencies, setup commands, a working interface, example outputs, and a recorded end-to-end demo. Include tests and an action log.

Successfully parses FASTA CDS files using Biopython SeqIO with zero unhandled format exceptions.

Identifies stop codon mismatches between CDS translation and NCBI protein reference accessions.

Outputs compliant FHIR Observation JSON resources with coding system 'http://hl7.org/fhir/sid/ncbi-gene'.

```json [ { "input": { "gene_id": "672", "accession": "NM_020107.5", "cds_seq": "ATGGCTGTAGATAACTGA", "protein_seq": "MAVDN" }, "expected_output": { "status": "concordant", "orf_complete": true, "translated_length": 5, "fhir_observation": { "resourceType": "Observation", "status": "final", "code": { "coding": [ { "system": "http://hl7.org/fhir/sid/ncbi-gene", "code": "NM_020107.5" } ] }, "valueString": "Concordant CDS and protein translation" } } }, { "input": { "gene_id": "672", "accession": "NM_020107.5", "cds_seq": "ATGGCTGTA", "protein_seq": "MAVDN" }, "expected_output": { "status": "discordant", "orf_complete": false, "translated_length": 3, "fhir_observation": { "resourceType": "Observation", "status": "preliminary", "code": { "coding": [ { "system": "http://hl7.org/fhir/sid/ncbi-gene", "code": "NM_020107.5" } ] }, "valueString": "Premature truncation: length mismatch between CDS translation (3) and reference (5)" } } } ] ```

Handles only synthetic or public reference sequence accessions; produces no patient clinical diagnostic claims. Use mock external writes. Require human review before any real deployment.

Rules

Participation guide

Handles only synthetic or public reference sequence accessions; produces no patient clinical diagnostic claims. Use mock external writes and human review.

Delivery guide

How work is evaluated

Evaluation

Successfully parses FASTA CDS files using Biopython SeqIO with zero unhandled format exceptions. Identifies stop codon mismatches between CDS translation and NCBI protein reference accessions. Outputs compliant FHIR Observation JSON resources with coding system 'http://hl7.org/fhir/sid/ncbi-gene'.

Submission format

Runnable source, pinned dependencies, setup commands, working interface, example outputs, recorded demo, tests, and action logs.

Datasets

Challenge datasets

Public datasets, plus the private datasets you have access to.

Evaluation rubric

How submissions are scored

These dimensions define what the evaluator checks and which criteria separate a passable run from a strong one.

Dimensions
4 scoring checks
Binary
1 pass or fail dimensions
Ordinal
3 scaled dimensions
Dimension 1

Complete workflow

Extract CDS and transcript sequences from downloaded NCBI gene data packages using Biopython SeqIO. Calculate open reading frame coordinates and check terminal codon termination consistency. Compare translated peptide sequences against expected NCBI protein records to detect premature truncation. Format junction discrepancies and translational status into valid FHIR Observation resources.

Score scale
012
Score 0

Missing or incorrect.

Score 1

Partly complete, with documented gaps.

Score 2

Complete, with reproducible evidence.

Dimension 2

Correctness and evidence

Successfully parses FASTA CDS files using Biopython SeqIO with zero unhandled format exceptions. Identifies stop codon mismatches between CDS translation and NCBI protein reference accessions. Outputs compliant FHIR Observation JSON resources with coding system 'http://hl7.org/fhir/sid/ncbi-gene'.

Score scale
012
Score 0

Missing or incorrect.

Score 1

Partly complete, with documented gaps.

Score 2

Complete, with reproducible evidence.

Dimension 3

Review interface

FastAPI service exposing ingestion endpoints and a React review grid displaying transcript CDS alignment anomalies.

Score scale
012
Score 0

Missing or incorrect.

Score 1

Partly complete, with documented gaps.

Score 2

Complete, with reproducible evidence.

Dimension 4

Safe execution

Handles only synthetic or public reference sequence accessions; produces no patient clinical diagnostic claims.

Binary check

This dimension contributes its full weight only when the submission satisfies the requirement. Partial credit is not awarded.

Learning goals

What you should walk away with

  • Extract CDS and transcript sequences from downloaded NCBI gene data packages using Biopython SeqIO.

  • Calculate open reading frame coordinates and check terminal codon termination consistency.

  • Compare translated peptide sequences against expected NCBI protein records to detect premature truncation.

  • Format junction discrepancies and translational status into valid FHIR Observation resources.

Resources and assets

Reference links and supporting material

Dataset notes

Download public gene packages via NCBI Datasets CLI using sample accessions like NM_020107.5 and NP_001334352.2 into mock storage. Supplied starter examples are synthetic, not source extracts.

Challenge setup

Configuration summary for this challenge.

Challenge input

Input details are not configured.

Pydantic AI

Typed Python agent framework.

Evaluated output

No output checks are configured.

Evaluation checks
  • Extract CDS and transcript sequences from downloaded NCBI gene data packages using Biopython SeqIO. Calcula...
  • Successfully parses FASTA CDS files using Biopython SeqIO with zero unhandled format exceptions. Identifies...
  • FastAPI service exposing ingestion endpoints and a React review grid displaying transcript CDS alignment an...
Configured evaluation evidence
  • 2 public reference cases
Configured runtime
  • 2 configured tools

Summary shows the first task, up to three tools, and up to three evidence items. Open the technical recipe to view all configured items.

View technical recipe

Configured tools

Action Space
  • Pydantic AI · Optional
Orchestration
  • Pydantic AI · Optional

Evaluation contract

  • Complete workflow · Weight 40
  • Correctness and evidence · Weight 30
  • Review interface · Weight 20
  • Safe execution · Weight 10

Reference cases

  • 2 public reference cases

Workflow tasks

No workflow tasks are configured.

Recipe freeze marker

No recipe freeze time is recorded.

Frequently Asked Questions about Build a Gene Transcript Isoform Exon Splice Junction Reconciler