Translational meta-analysis tool for temporal gene expression profiles

Widespread use of microarray technology that led to highly complex datasets often is addressing similar or related biological questions. In translational medicine research is often based on measurements that have been obtained at different points in time. However, the researcher looks at them as a progression over time. If a biological stimulus shows an effect on a particular gene that is reversed over time, this would show, for instance, as a peak in the gene's temporal expression profile. Our program SPOT helps researchers find these patterns in large sets of microarray data. We created the software tool using open-source platforms and the Semantic Web tool Protégé-OWL.