CHIP TUNER: a web tool for evidence-based noise reduction in gene discovery

The potential for gene discovery, fueled by DNA microchip technology and the sequencing of hundreds of genomes, is unprecedented. In this context, trying to discover genes that are actually of significance rather than merely appearing so due to noise is of utmost importance. We present a web application, CHIP TUNER, which assists in this gene discovery process. Our system uses evidence-based noise reduction to help delineate candidate target genes of biological importance. Specifically, CHIP TUNER learns from redundant experiments an "identity mask" that defines a region of noise inherent to biological sampling and DNA microarray processing; it then takes this into account during actual sample comparisons. The goal of CHIP TUNER is to improve the chances that newly discovered "important" genes are actually of importance before large amounts of time and resources are invested.