Array Results Manager (ARM)

Turning Results into Knowledge

The Array Results Manager (ARM) from BioDiscovery is the first tool that turns enterprise-wide microarray results into knowledge. Built on the foundation of GeneDirector, ARM is the first relational database and integrated analytic platform that enables scientists to organize, manage, and mine the results of array experiments from across the enterprise using a structured processing pipeline. Data and results from experiments from multiple projects, platforms and work groups are stored in a central repository and are combined with sophisticated tools to extract and store insights with greater confidence and ease.

Protocol based microarray analysis ARM provides a dynamic platform for centralized storage, management, retrieval, integration, and visualization of analysis results. Unlike exploratory single-user analysis tools, ARM allows researchers to pose their experimental questions in term of biological factors and avoid the need to have detailed information about the experimental process (e.g. what dye was used on what channel) or need for advanced statistical knowledge. In ARM, streamlined and standardized analytical features allow statisticians to create protocols that enforce scientific rigor in data analysis, yielding reproducible analysis and findings. These analytic protocols can be selected by the research scientist to run against their microarray data with a single mouse-click.

With the Array Results Manager, BioDiscovery has simplified the process of turning experimental data and results into knowledge. Various array data sets, from across various platforms can, for the first time, be rapidly analyzed in a standardized and reproducible manner, allowing data mining and longitudinal analysis that is easy to develop and implement. For the first time, a multi-disciplinary team can work collaboratively using a common software platform to maximize the value of array data allowing lab technicians, research scientists, bioinformaticians / biostatisticians, and core managers to each contribute to a common project from across the enterprise. The promise of microarray research has taken a leap forward with the Array Results Manager from BioDiscovery.

Managing Array Results from Across the Enterprise

Array Results Manager offers a full suite of organizational and analytical capabilities that provide simplified analysis, with reliable and reproducible results, at lower cost.

A platform for centralized storage, management, retrieval, integration, and visualization of microarray experiment analysis results.
Scalable enterprise solution
Centralized and comprehensive database manages all the data needed to perform the analysis.
Oracle database with Java clients
Any size dataset (thousands of arrays) can be processed with ease and only requiring a fixed size client memory
Batch analytical processing
Standardized analysis methodologies
Streamlined and standardized analysis allowing statisticians to create protocols for biologists and other end-users
Provide complete persistence of all steps involved in an analysis in the database
Protocols remove subjectivity between scientists and analytic methods
Multi-platform support
Infrastructure elements to support results generated by any algorithm or software
- Process and manage results from any array platform, including Affymetrix, Agilent, and home spotted arrays
Support for multi-disciplinary teams
Lab technicians generate the data, bioinformatics / biostatistics personnel develop analytical protocols, and researchers use the data and protocols to generate knowledge
Batch Import of legacy data and published results

Enterprise Annotation Server

Integrated database holding external probe annotations
Can be populated using public or proprietary gene annotation
Includes annotations from major array manufactures, such as Affymetrix and Agilent
Flexible architecture allows for creating annotations based on published results
Provides a multi-platform link (utilizing common IDs) from probes on one platform (e.g. Affymetrix) to be queried in analysis using another platform (e.g. Agilent)

ARM Capabilities & Features

Simplifying Enterprise Analysis

Provide research scientist a familiar concept - Protocols!
Easy to use protocol driven analysis eliminates need for specialized personnel during analysis
Scientist selects the appropriate protocol appropriate for the type of data and the goal
Protocols are created and managed by scientist with the expertise and desire to make them
Centralized and comprehensive database manages all the data needed to perform analysis while statistically correcting for technical bias
Use of analysis protocols inherently enforces structure and uniformity that is required for effective integration and exploitation of results

Improving Analytical Result Quality

Enforce systematic and objective QC metrics
Automatically detect confoundedness in the experimental design
Multiple QC tests included
Users can create and directly integrate their own QC algorithms or create new ones using built-in tools.
Drill-down of visualization tools provide visual verification of QC failures
Statistical treatment for correction of log-linear batch effects
Analysis protocols remove subjectivity in the analysis

Ensure Reproducibility of Results

Exact results can be reproduced by anyone at anytime
Analysis follows protocols rather than exploratory processes
Cleansing protocols identify and reduce sources of experimental biases
Every step is captured in the relational database
All the data used in the analysis is in the relational database
Data integrity is insured by the database

Turning Microarray Analysis Profitable

Fully-automated processing from image loading to quantification and normalization
Remove poor data from further analysis early in the process
Collect and organize results of experiments in a structured database for: