ArrayExpress

Definition

ArrayExpress is a publicly accessible database that stores and provides information on functional genomics experiments, particularly high-throughput gene expression data. It serves as a crucial resource for researchers, allowing them to access, analyze, and visualize datasets derived from microarray and RNA-Seq experiments, thereby promoting collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the genomics community.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. ArrayExpress is hosted by the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI), which provides tools for data submission and retrieval.
2. The database supports a wide range of experimental designs and types, including both single-gene and multi-gene expression studies.
3. Researchers can submit their datasets to ArrayExpress, where they undergo a quality check before being made publicly available.
4. ArrayExpress allows users to search for datasets based on various criteria, including experimental conditions, organism type, and specific genes of interest.
5. The data in ArrayExpress can be accessed in multiple formats, facilitating integration with other bioinformatics tools and platforms.

Review Questions

• How does ArrayExpress enhance research collaboration in genomics?
  • ArrayExpress enhances research collaboration by providing a centralized platform where researchers can share their high-throughput gene expression data. By allowing easy access to these datasets, scientists can build upon each other's work, validate findings, and conduct meta-analyses that are essential for advancing knowledge in genomics. The ability to visualize and analyze shared data also fosters an environment of transparency and collective scientific progress.
• Discuss the importance of quality control in the submission process of datasets to ArrayExpress.
  • Quality control is critical in the submission process of datasets to ArrayExpress to ensure that only high-quality and reliable data is made available to the research community. The EBI performs thorough checks on submitted datasets for completeness, consistency, and adherence to submission guidelines. This process helps maintain the integrity of the database, enabling researchers to trust the data they access for their analyses and conclusions.
• Evaluate the role of ArrayExpress in the context of evolving genomic technologies and their impact on research methodologies.
  • ArrayExpress plays a pivotal role as genomic technologies evolve by adapting its database infrastructure to accommodate new types of data such as RNA-Seq alongside traditional microarray datasets. This adaptability reflects a broader trend in genomics where rapidly advancing technologies necessitate flexible and comprehensive data repositories. As researchers increasingly rely on large-scale genomic analyses, resources like ArrayExpress not only facilitate access to vast datasets but also influence research methodologies by enabling more robust comparisons across different studies and experimental designs.

Related terms

Gene Expression Omnibus: A database that archives and shares high-throughput gene expression data, similar to ArrayExpress, but maintained by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI).

Microarray: A technology used to measure the expression levels of many genes simultaneously, producing large datasets often stored in databases like ArrayExpress.

RNA-Seq: A next-generation sequencing technique that allows for the comprehensive analysis of the transcriptome, often yielding data submitted to repositories such as ArrayExpress.