BYSTRO AI

Create Custom Search Shortcuts

Create powerful search shortcuts that let you query multiple genes, pathways, sample groups, or complex conditions with a single word. Transform repetitive, complex searches into simple, reusable commands tailored to your research.

Why Custom Shortcuts Are Powerful

Instead of repeatedly typing complex queries likeBRCA1 OR BRCA2 OR PALB2 OR CHEK2, create a shortcut called breastCancerGenesand just search for that.

Perfect for gene panels, sample groups, pathway analysis, and case-control studies.

How to Create Search Shortcuts

1

Start with any search

Begin by searching for anything (you can use * to see all results) to access the tools menu.

2

Open the synonym creator

Click "Custom Synonyms": below the search bar

3

Define your shortcut

In the popup, enter a memorable label (your shortcut name) and list the values you want it to represent, one per line.

4

Save and search

Click Save, then use your new shortcut label in any search. Bystro will automatically expand it to search all your defined values.

How Shortcuts Work

Behind the Scenes

What You Type

breastCancerGenes

What Bystro Searches

BRCA1 OR BRCA2 OR PALB2 OR CHEK2

Your shortcut label is automatically replaced with all your synonym values joined byOR operators.

Powerful Examples

Gene Panel Shortcuts

Create shortcuts for gene panels you frequently analyze. Instead of typing multiple gene names every time, define them once and reuse:

Animation showing how to create custom synonyms for searching multiple genes at once

Creating a 'breastCancerGenes' shortcut to search BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2, and CHEK2 simultaneously

Field-Specific Shortcuts

Combine your shortcuts with specific annotation fields for precise searches. Use refSeq.name2:breastCancerGenes to search only in gene name fields:

Animation showing how to use custom synonyms with specific field names like refSeq.name2

Using gene panel shortcuts with specific annotation fields for targeted searches

Complex Query Shortcuts

Synonym values can be complete queries, not just simple terms. Create shortcuts for complex filtering conditions you use repeatedly.

Advanced Shortcut Techniques

Complex Queries as Values

Each synonym value can be a full query with operators and conditions. This lets you create shortcuts for sophisticated filtering criteria you use repeatedly:

Shortcut: rarePathogenic

gnomad.genomes.af < 0.001clinvar.clinicalSignificance:Pathogeniccadd.phred > 20

Exact Matching with Quotes

Use quotes to define phrase boundaries and create more precise matches. This prevents partial matches and ensures you get exactly the genes you want:

Shortcut: alzheimerGenes

"APOE""PSEN1""PSEN2""APP"
Animation showing how to use quotes and exact matches for Alzheimer's genes in custom synonyms

Creating precise gene shortcuts using quotes for exact matching with Alzheimer's disease genes

Case-Control and Family Studies

Custom shortcuts excel at organizing sample groups for comparative analysis. Combine with boolean operators for powerful study designs:

Sample Group Examples

Case-Control Studies

  • • Create cases shortcut with affected sample IDs
  • • Create controls shortcut with unaffected sample IDs
  • • Search cases -controls for case-specific variants

Family Studies

  • • Create probands shortcut with affected children
  • • Create parents shortcut with parent sample IDs
  • • Search probands -parents for de novo variants

Boolean Operators with Shortcuts

Use the NOT operator (-) to find mutually exclusive sets:

  • • cases -controls → variants only in cases
  • • children -parents → de novo variants
  • • tumor -normal → somatic mutations

Creative Applications

Pathway Analysis

Group genes by biological pathways for functional enrichment studies.

DNArepair

Tissue-Specific Panels

Create organ or tissue-specific gene lists for targeted analysis.

cardiacGenes

Cohort Subgroups

Organize samples by demographics, treatment response, or phenotype.

responders

Shortcut Management Tips

• Use descriptive names: Choose memorable labels that clearly describe the content

• One value per line: Each synonym value should be on its own line in the creator

• Test your shortcuts: Verify they work as expected before using in important analyses

• Document complex shortcuts: Keep notes about what each shortcut contains for future reference

Performance Note

Dataset used in examples: 1000 Genomes Project (73,452,337 variants in 27,192 genes, queries typically complete in ~0.5 seconds)