MOTL: enhancing multi-omics matrix factorization with transfer learning

Abstract Joint matrix factorization is popular for extracting lower dimensional representations of multi-omics data but loses effectiveness with limited samples. Addressing this limitation, we introduce MOTL (Multi-Omics Transfer Learning), a framework that enhances MOFA (Multi-Omics Factor Analysis...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: David P. Hirst, Morgane Térézol, Laura Cantini, Paul Villoutreix, Matthieu Vignes, Anaïs Baudot
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:Genome Biology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13059-025-03675-7
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Summary:Abstract Joint matrix factorization is popular for extracting lower dimensional representations of multi-omics data but loses effectiveness with limited samples. Addressing this limitation, we introduce MOTL (Multi-Omics Transfer Learning), a framework that enhances MOFA (Multi-Omics Factor Analysis) by inferring latent factors for small multi-omics target datasets with respect to those inferred from a large heterogeneous learning dataset. We evaluate MOTL by designing simulated and real data protocols and demonstrate that MOTL improves the factorization of limited-sample multi-omics datasets when compared to factorization without transfer learning. When applied to actual glioblastoma samples, MOTL enhances delineation of cancer status and subtype.
ISSN:1474-760X