# Detect differential methylation

The Detect Differential Methylation task enables users to perform differential test on methylation array data and Illumina 5-base DNA Prep data. The task converts Beta-values to M-values and uses these to perform [ANOVA differential expression analysis](/icm/analyses/analysis-functionality/task-menu/statistics/differential-analysis/anova-limma-trend-limma-voom.md).

## Running Detect Differential Methylation

* Click to select a methylation data node with beta values.
  * For methylation array: select **Methylation beta** data node.
  * For Illumina 5-base DNA Prep: select **5-base methylation** data node or **Get Regional Methylation** data node.
* Select **Methylation analysis** from context-sensitive menu, select **Detect Differential Methylation**.
* Select a **factor** for analysis, click **Next**.

<figure><img src="/files/iZk75Zf1TPHNefnZ9Dpc" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* Define and **add comparison**, then click **Finish**.

<figure><img src="/files/BvtKI9E7DCQS25RsQTsu" alt="" width="407"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Detect Differential Methylation output

When completed, double-click on the output data node to open task report. Each row in the report table is a probe or methylation feature being tested. The table is sorted by p-values by default. Significance such as P-value and FDR step up are computed from the M-values. The LSMeans of the groups and the Difference are computed from the Beta-values.

Click the **Optional columns** button to add more column data. For array data, annotation from the Illumina manifest file can be selected from the Optional columns.

Click **Volcano icon** next to the comparison name, and icons buttons in **View** columns to open visualizations and additional details on the results.

<figure><img src="/files/TONhTPiRwFszB2vchyQV" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

The table can be exported by clicking **Download** button on the top left corner of the table.


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://help.connected.illumina.com/icm/analyses/analysis-functionality/task-menu/statistics/detect-differential-methylation.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
