Microarray RNA transcriptional profiling: Part II. Analytical considerations and annotation

Abstract

This review summarizes the various data filtration, transformation and normalization processes for different array platforms (cDNA, oligos, one- and two-color), data analysis methods and their validation, and databases and annotation for RNA transcriptional profiling microarrays. This review is intended to introduce the beginner to the analyses and interpretation of gene expression studies using a nonmathematical approach for easier comprehension. Microarray analysis is not a trivial undertaking as there is no single method that works well for all, and results obtained from these analyses should be considered as a complement to other approaches.

Keywords::

• analysis
• bioinformatics
• databases
• statistics
• transformation
• validation