What Are Kallisto and Salmon?

At their core, both Kallisto and Salmon are tools for quantifying transcript abundance from RNA-Seq reads. They bypass traditional alignment-based methods, replacing them with pseudoalignment or quasi-mapping, which drastically speeds up the process.

• Kallisto was developed by Lior Pachter’s lab and introduced the concept of pseudoalignment using a de Bruijn graph.
• Salmon, developed by Rob Patro’s group, builds on this idea with quasi-mapping and offers additional features like advanced bias correction.

Head-to-Head Comparison

1. Algorithm

• Kallisto uses pseudoalignment, focusing on matching k-mers from reads to a transcriptome index.
• Salmon uses quasi-mapping, which adds more flexibility and can also work with aligned reads (BAM files).

2. Input and Flexibility

• Kallisto works with raw FASTQ reads and requires a custom transcriptome index.
• Salmon accepts FASTQ or pre-aligned BAM files, giving you more workflow options.

3. Bias Correction

One of Salmon’s major advantages is its sophisticated bias correction system. It corrects for:

• Sequence-specific bias
• Positional bias
• GC-content bias

Kallisto offers basic sequence bias correction but lacks the comprehensive models found in Salmon.

4. Speed and Resources

• Kallisto is blazing fast and slightly more memory-efficient.
• Salmon is still very fast, but the added features can come at a small computational cost.

5. Output and Downstream Analysis

• Both tools provide transcript-level quantifications and support bootstrapping for variance estimation.
• Salmon can also summarize counts at the gene level if provided with a mapping file (--geneMap).
• Kallisto integrates seamlessly with Sleuth for differential expression analysis.
• Salmon works well with tximport, DESeq2, edgeR, and other Bioconductor tools.

Choosing the Right Tool

Example Command Lines

Kallisto (paired-end):

kallisto quant -i transcriptome.idx -o output -b 100 sample_R1.fastq sample_R2.fastq

Salmon (paired-end, bias correction):

salmon quant -i salmon_index -l A -1 sample_R1.fastq -2 sample_R2.fastq \
  -p 8 --validateMappings --seqBias --gcBias -o output

Conclusion

Both Kallisto and Salmon are exceptional tools that have transformed RNA-Seq analysis. Your choice largely depends on your priorities—whether it's speed, accuracy, flexibility, or compatibility with downstream tools.

For many users, Salmon offers a more complete and flexible solution, especially when bias correction and gene-level outputs are essential. However, Kallisto remains a favorite for quick, accurate quantification, especially when paired with the Sleuth pipeline.

Address of the bookmark: http://hibberdlab.com/transrate/index.html

Sponsored/CSIR Networked Project:
(i) Genomics and Informatics Solutions for Integrating Biology (GENESIS)" [BSC-0121] (up to March, 2017).
(ii) Profiling and characterization of early phase differential mi-RNA (s) responsible for downstream developmen of insulin resistance in hMSC derived adipocytes. (GAP-0188) [up to 31.03.2018].

Position: Project Fellow (2 position)
Age : 28 years as on 18.12.15
Salary : Rs.12,000/- P.M.
Rs.14,000/- P.M.
as per the funds provisions in the respective projects.
Eligibility Criteria : 1st Class B. Tech. in Bioinformatics/ Computational Biology
OR
M.Sc. in Bioinformatics/ Computational Biology with 55% marks
OR
M.Tech. in Bioinformatics/ Computational Biology with 55% marks
OR
M.Sc. in any field of Life Science with Diploma in Bioinformatics

Selection Procedure : Walk In Interview

Date : 18 Dec , 2015
Time : 10:00 A.M.
Venue : CSIR-IHBT Palampur (H.P.)

Junior Project Fellow Jobs opportunity in National Chemical Laboratory on contract basis
Project Code : BSC0117
Title of the Project : Plant?Microbe and Soil Interactions (PMSI)
No. of Post : 01
Qualification : M.Tech. / M.Sc. in Bioinformatics from a recognized university with minimum of 55% marks (aggregate) and sound Bioinformatics knowledge / experience
Desirable : Good knowledge of Linux (command line and GUI) and SQL; Java / Perl / Python / R / Bash programing / scripting; Analysis of NGS data; Protein modeling / docking; Development and maintenance of web & database servers, etc
Emoluments : Rs. 16,000/?
Age Limit : 28 Years
Selection Procedure : Written Test / Interview
How to apply
Applications neatly typed in the prescribed proforma (enclosed herewith) duly completed and signed together with photo?copies of relevant certificates/ testimonials and photograph should be addressed to : The Head, Biochemical Sciences Division, Attn : Dr. Narendra Kadoo, CSIR?National Chemical Laboratory, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pashan, Pune 411 008, so as to reach on or before 08/01/2016. Please superscribe the envelop “Application for Junior Project Fellow (Project: BSC0117)”.

More at http://www.ncl-india.org/files/JoinUs/JobVacancies/TemporaryJobs.aspx?

Eligibility : M Phil / Phd

Location : Thiruvananthapuram

Last Date : 30 Apr 2016

Hiring Process : Face to Face Interview
IISER -TVM

The Postdoctoral Fellowship/Research Associateship is a full-time, contractual position for highly qualified young scientists to carry out research at CCMS, IISER-TVM.

Research areas at the Centre

Quantum Chemistry/ Computational Fluid Dynamics/Condensed Matter Physics (Theory)/Genomics/Genetics/Gravitational Waves

Qualifications: PhD in Bioinformatics / Biophysics / Physics / Astrophysics / Chemistry / Mathematics / Engineering (Mechanical/Aerospace) Those who are in the final stages of their Ph.D. thesis submission are also eligible to apply. However, those candidates must have submitted the thesis at the time of the interview.

Experience: Applicants should have at least three peer reviewed publications and relevant experience in the research area they are applying for.

No. of positions: 5

Age limit: 35 yrs or below. A relaxation of 5 yrs will be applicable to candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC and women candidates

Salary: The Fellowship carries a remuneration of INR Rs. 5,18,000 - Rs. 5,76,000 per annum (including HRA). The postdoctoral fellowship may not be held concurrently with any other national or international fellowships. It is also not transferable to any other fellowship
How to apply

Applications should reach the Head, CCMS, IISER Thiruvananthapuram,CET Campus, Engineering College PO,Thiruvananthapuram 695016 on or before April 30, 2016 by e-mail to ccms@iisertvm.ac.in by mentioning the research area name in the subject line.

More at http://www.iisertvm.ac.in/openings/read_opening/150.phpx

Lift over is the process of transferring annotations from one genome assembly to another. Usually lift over is done because there is a new, improved genome assembly for the species and good quality annotations (maybe manually curated or experimentally verified) are available on the old assembly.

The idea is simple: align the new assembly with the old one (e.g., with BLAT), process the alignment data to define how a coordinate or coordinate range on the old assembly should be transformed to the new assembly (e.g., as a chain file), transform the coordinates (e.g., with liftOver).

https://github.com/wurmlab/flo

Address of the bookmark: https://github.com/wurmlab/flo

Eligibility : ME/M.Tech, Any Graduate, MSc

Location : Shillong

Last Date : 23 Feb 2016

Hiring Process : Face to Face Interview
North Eastern Hill University

Project Assistant/ JRF Jobs recruitment in North Eastern Hill University on temporary basis

Project Title : "Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)-based de novo assembly of expressed transcripts and genome information of Orchids in North-East India"

Project Assistant

No. of Post : 01

Qualifications : Graduation

Desirable : Experience of working in a Life Science/Plant Biotechnology lab. and familiarity with computers and field work viz. collection of samples.

JRF

No. of Post : 01

Qualifications : M.Tech/M.Sc in Life Sciences/Botany/Biotechnology/ Bioinformatics;

Desirable : Aptitude for Bioinformatics and Computer Programming/ Next generation sequencing data analysis
How to apply

The applications through email bicnehu@gmail.com or post must reach the Dr. Devendra Kumar Biswal, Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) within 15 days from the date of publication of this advertisement.

More at http://www.nehu.ac.in/Advertisements/projectVacancy.php

Eligibility : MSc, M Phil / Phd, BE/B.Tech

Location : Delhi

Last Date : 08 Mar 2016

Hiring Process : Walk - In
Regional Medical Research Centre -

Notification Order No.1-51/Proj/RMRC/PB/

Scientist – II (Post Code: BIC-II) job position in Regional Medical Research Centre (ICMR)

Essential Qualification: 1 st class Master’s degree in Bioinformatics / Computational Biology. B.E / B.Tech (Bioinformatics / Computer Science / Biotechnology) OR 2nd Class M.Sc. with Ph.D. in Bioinformatics / Computational Biology / Life Science.

Desirable Qualification: Post-doctoral research experience in Bioinformatics / Computational Biology / Computer Science / Life Science at a recognized institution. Experience in handling and analyzing sequencing data. Experience in scripting languages (PERL/PYTHON) etc./ Statistical software. Experience in developing research projects.

Number of Post: 1 UR

Place of Posting: RMRC, Port Blair

Age Limit: 40 years

Pay Scale : Rs.45,954
How to apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit applications along with copies of all the certificates of educational qualifications, date of birth, working experience etc . on the affixing a passport size photograph by Application Format to attend a walk-in interview on 8th March 2016 at 10:30 AM.

More at http://www.icmr.nic.in/icmrnews/port%20blair%20Bioinf%2003-2016.pdf

JRF jobs in International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology

Area of research: Computational analysis of protein-protein interactions and metabolic reconstruction of pathways

Qualification : Suitable candidate must have completed Masters in Computer Science/Physics/Mathematics/Bioinformatics or PG diploma in Bioinformatics with very sound programming skills shown in the form of completed project or paper. Programming Skill required: Java/perl/python or any other scripting language and working knowledge of MySQL. Candidate should have some familiarity with R statistical package.

The salary will be as per the guidelines of DBT/DST, based on qualification and experience.

How to apply

Interested candidates may send application along with CV via email to hemant@icgeb.res.in (Dr. Hemant Ritturaj Kushwaha) on or before 08/03/2016. Candidates applying through Email must mention “Application for JRF” in their subject line.

More at http://www.icgeb.org/vacancies.html

Essential qualification : Ph.D. in Bioinformatics/Biotechnology/Genetics/Computational Biology.Understanding of genomics data and advanced knowledge of Java, and C/C++ as the programming languages and the scripting language like perl and/or Python, SQL is preferred. Experience in High Performance Computing, data architecture, database development is desirable

Fellowship: Rs 35,000 /-

How to apply

Candidates are requested to send their CV, and a brief summary of research experience by e-mail careers.genetics@ktr.srmuniv.ac.in on or before 30/03/2016.

More at http://www.srmuniv.ac.in/jobs-applications-for-position-of-post-doctoral-fellow