IGV
IGV (Integrative Genomics Viewer) is a free, open-source desktop application for visualizing and exploring genomic data. Developed by the Broad Institute, it is widely used by bioinformaticians, geneticists, researchers and students to inspect alignments, call variants, view copy-number and mutation data, and integrate multiple genomic datasets in an interactive interface. IGV can load large BAM, VCF, and other bioinformatics file formats and supports both local and remote data. It requires Java to run.
AI Recommendation
1 suggestionIGV is actively maintained by the Broad Institute but the official macOS distribution still requires Rosetta 2 to run, since it bundles Java in a 64-bit Intel build. The Broad Institute's own documentation states they are evaluating a native Apple Silicon build but have provided no timeline for one. Since you are in May 2026 and Apple is removing Rosetta 2 in September 2028, you have time but should plan now. Your best immediate option is to download the command-line version of IGV (available from igv.org/download) and install a native Apple Silicon build of Java separately — this avoids Rosetta entirely and will continue working after macOS 28. Alternatively, download and use IGV-Web at igv.org/app, which runs in any modern browser and requires no local installation. Watch the Broad Institute's download page periodically for an announcement of a native Apple Silicon release; if one becomes available before September 2028 you can switch back to the desktop app. If command-line IGV with native Java is not practical for your workflow, contact the Broad Institute directly to express interest in a native build — user demand often accelerates development timelines for research tools.
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