High-throughput sequencing produces an extraordinary amount of genomic data that is organized into a number of high-dimension datasets. Accordingly, visualization of genomic data has become essential for quality control, exploration, and data interpretation. The Variant Call Format (VCF) is a text file format generated during the variant calling process that contains genomic information and locations of variants in a group of sequenced samples. The current workflow for visualization of genomic variant data from VCF files requires use of a combination of existing tools. Here, we describe VIVA (VIsualization of VAriants), a command line utility and Jupyter Notebook based tool for evaluating and sharing genomic data for variant analysis and quality control of sequencing experiments from VCF files. VIVA combines the functionality of existing tools into a single command to interactively evaluate and share genomic data, as well as create publication quality graphics.

13The volume and pace of data accumulation from high-throughput sequencing studies 14 have been amplified by recent rapid technological advances in biological sciences. 15Visualization of genomic data is essential for quality control, exploration, and 16interpretation. Here, we describe a user-friendly visualization tool for variant call format 17 (VCF) files with which the users can interactively evaluate and share genomic data, as 18 well as create publication quality graphics. 19 20