Abstract: The present invention provides data analysis methods for the rapid location of subsets of large, multivariable biological datasets that are of most interest for further analysis, for the investigation of molecular modes of action of biological phenomena of interest, and for the identification of sets of data points that best distinguish between experimental groups in larger datasets as putative biomarkers. While existing methods for analyzing large biological datasets generally provide too much information to the user, or not enough, the methods of the present invention entail taking user input on what kinds of trends are of interest and then finding results that match the designated trend. In such manner, the methods of the invention allow a user to quickly pinpoint the subset of data of most interest without a concomitant loss of a large percentage of relevant information, as is typical with standard methods.

Abstract: The invention described herein relates to computer and display methods and systems for acquiring, storing, manipulating, analyzing, linking, retrieving and displaying the data. The methods and systems are illustrated with reference to data on constituents of biological systems, particularly data on gene expression. In this regard, the invention especially relates to interactive systems for displaying gene expression-related data in three-dimensional molecular topographies. Expressed genes and their activity are represented as peaks in the topographies. Additionally, the invention relates to methods and systems for generating and displaying delta plots, which show differences in gene expression, and to methods and systems for generating molecular movies that show changes in gene expression. While illustrated by reference to gene expression, the methods and systems can be used to generate and manipulate displays of data on other complex populations.