Nonlinear Dynamics Announces System for Integration of Multiple Data Sources

Nonlinear Dynamics has announced that it is developing a large-scale analysis and data-mining system, called the modas platform, which will bring together data from multiple applications, sources and disciplines. 

The modas platform is being developed to incorporate data from a disparate range of techniques, bringing together for instance 1D and 2D gel data, mass spec data, array data and a variety of other trace-based data into one, integrated system. 

This will then be able to be used in a diverse range of applications to support an integrated systems biology approach. 

Because it will all be contained in one single database, with analysis and mining occurring on this single source, data will be consistent, comparable and integrated.  Innovative and advanced tools, such as client / server architectures and distributed computing, are being employed to ensure issues such as scalability, flexibility and wide-user access are addressed from conception.

Will Dracup, Group CEO of Nonlinear Dynamics, said, “We are very conscious that the modas platform promises a lot – but we are happy we can over time deliver on these promises.”

“With our new, agile approach, we are currently developing new modules for this product faster than at any time in the company’s history, and I am proud of what we have managed to achieve so far.”

“We genuinely believe that this system will have significant effects on the way Life Science research is conducted.”

“Historical boundaries that have existed between disciplines, which have become even more specific in recent years, will be significantly blurred, enabling much more effective cross-team collaboration and the ultimate realisation of a Systems Biology approach.”

“With our partners and collaborators, we look forward to playing a key role in making this happen as quickly as possible.”

The Company backed up these assertions by launching the first version of this platform at the HUPO World Annual Congress in Munich. 

Known as modas 2D/MS, it is an integrated platform for the analysis and mining of 2D gels and MS data.  It employs three-tier system architecture.

A central database lies at its heart, containing proteomics workflow data within a single, scalable source.  This server-side component incorporates Nonlinear’s own sophisticated database schema for optimised performance.

Interacting with this core is a range of flexible client modules, known collectively as The modas Desktop. 

These support the entire 2D / MS workflow – for instance, recording of sample preparation data, building 2D analysis experiments, using statistical data processing to find proteins of interest and searching MS data against protein databases. 

Using flexible licensing, these modules can be installed throughout a network, ensuring wide access and close team collaboration.

There is a third tier, called the Analysis Agents.  This is a sophisticated piece of software installed on any number of remote, dedicated PCs. 

Actual data processing of 2D gels, the time consuming and resource hungry element of this workflow, is farmed out to these Agents, leaving both client and server systems unaffected and able to continue operating optimally. 

These Agents further ensure system scalability, since a customer can simply add more Agents as throughput increases, not affecting overall system performance.

modas 2D/MS is designed to employ the same analysis algorithms as those within Nonlinear’s Progenesis PG240 solution, the advanced commercially available analysis package available. 

Also employing Mascot’s engine for its MS and MS/MS searches, modas 2D/MS therefore designed to represent the sophisticated in tools, architecture and interface.

John Spreadbury, Group Sales and Marketing Director of Nonlinear Dynamics and CEO of Nonlinear USA Inc, said, “This powerful, client server product is the result of many years’ intensive work to produce a fully integrated platform for analysis, storage and mining of Life Science data.”

“Given its scale, power and cutting-edge nature, users would be forgiven for assuming that this would be a high priced solution.  However we are happy to reveal that our pricing will be extremely competitive and our system configuration very flexible.”

“We anticipate a very high demand for this system, and want to make it available to as many users as possible.  As such, modas 2D/MS promises to revolutionize the way in which the entire market will carry out its proteomics research.”