Work

A practical guide to functional enrichment analysis

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Functional Enrichment Analysis (FEA) has become a critical step in the analysis of omics data in recent years. As a result, numerous approaches have been rapidly developed, leading to an overflow of information that can be difficult for beginners to navigate. Most usage information on FEA methods is scattered across countless articles that often address specific problems, making it difficult to find practical recommendations and good practices. In these guidelines, we discuss the current landscape of FEA and FEA-related approaches and organize actionable knowledge to support first-timers and update veterans on advancements in the field. We aim to aid non-bioinformaticians who use FEA through the general decision-making process necessary to ensure the quality of the analysis. We also provide a practical guide that assists FEA users through the decision-making process underlying FEA and directs readers to more advanced resources for specific FEA contexts. As a basic step in any omics analysis, our practical guide may aid in rapid decision-making for FEA.

Source: Frontiers in Bioinformatics

DOI: 10.3389/fbinf.2026.1895224

Authors: Fábio Henrique Schuster de Oliveira, Lucas Giron dos Santos, Bruno César Feltes

Institution: Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul

Language: English

Topic: Bioinformatics and Genomic Networks

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,077

Funders: Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul