Find Chimeras
The FindChimeras function is described in:ES Wright et al. (2012) "DECIPHER, A Search-Based Approach to Chimera Identification for 16S rRNA Sequences." Applied and Environmental Microbiology, doi:10.1128/AEM.06516-11.
Note
Chimeras are sequence artifacts due to incomplete template elongation during PCR. We now recommend using a high-fidelity polymerase, such as KAPA HiFi, instead of removing chimeras after the fact. High processivity polymerases largely avoid chimera formation. Alternatively, it is possible to use greatly extended (≥ 3 minute) elongation times with Taq polymerase, which has relatively low processivity. In our opinion, these experimental solutions are preferable to post hoc bioinformatic chimera removal.TJ De Wolfe & ES Wright (2023) "Multi-factorial examination of amplicon sequencing workflows from sample preparation to bioinformatic analysis." BMC Microbiology, doi:10.1186/s12866-023-02851-8.