Applied Biosystems and Integromics Develop a Platform for High Throughput Gene Expression Data Analysis

Applied Biosystems and Integromics SL have developed a fully integrated, large-scale data management and analysis platform, together with Novartis Pharma AG.

The platform combines advanced bioinformatics software with high throughput real-time PCR systems in order to analyze large volumes of real-time gene expression data, such as those produced for biomarker analysis in drug development or clinical studies.

Novartis is leading an initiative to promote the use of gene expression biomarkers in drug development studies and recently conducted a large-scale pilot study using TaqMan® Arrays from Applied Biosystems. Studies like this that yield such large volumes of high throughput data require new analysis tools, and the development of the Real-Time StatMiner™ platform allows the analysis of these types of data.

This solution integrates the Integromics Real-Time StatMiner software with the Applied Biosystems’ line of real-time PCR systems and TaqMan Arrays. Raw data are captured from these technologies and analyzed using the StatMiner software’s combination of interactive data visualization tools, advanced statistical analysis and data mining.

The collaboration has resulted in a fully integrated platform for analysis of real-time gene expression data produced during biomarker analysis. The new system eliminates the need for multiple applications and interfaces, and allows gene expression data analysis to be performed in a secure environment.

The StatMiner software provides sophisticated statistical analysis tools that are presented in a user-friendly format, making them accessible even to non-bioinformatics experts.

The software is particularly useful for identifying outliers and features valuable normalization capabilities. Combined with the features provided by the PCR plate and TaqMan Array, real-time PCR data analysis is faster than before.

“This marks an important step towards consolidating real-time PCR as a method for analyzing gene expression biomarkers in pharmaceutical and clinical research,” said Xavier Cristina, Applied Biosystems’ European manager for business development in functional analysis.

“Working in collaboration with Integromics, we have created a solution that supports our mutual customers such as Novartis in their gene expression research, by enabling them to turn their data into meaningful information for use in a range of research projects including drug discovery and development.”

Integromics is an innovative developer of data management, integration and analysis software used in genomics and proteomics research. The company’s Real-Time StatMiner software is a standalone application that is also available as an integrated guide within other leading laboratory data analysis systems.