HeatMapper: powerful combined visualization of gene expression profile correlations, genotypes, phenotypes and sample characteristics.
BACKGROUND
Accurate interpretation of data obtained by unsupervised analysis of large scale expression profiling studies is currently frequently performed by visually combining sample-gene heatmaps and sample characteristics. This method is not optimal for comparing individual samples or groups of samples. Here, we describe an approach to visually integrate the results of unsupervised and supervised cluster analysis using a correlation plot and additional sample metadata.


RESULTS
We have developed a tool called the HeatMapper that provides such visualizations in a dynamic and flexible manner and is available from http://www.erasmusmc.nl/hematologie/heatmapper/.


CONCLUSIONS
The HeatMapper allows an accessible and comprehensive visualization of the results of gene expression profiling and cluster analysis.
Verhaak
Roel G W
RG
Department of Hematology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. r.verhaak@erasmusmc.nl
Sanders
Mathijs A
MA
Bijl
Maarten A
MA
Delwel
Ruud
R
Horsman
Sebastiaan
S
Moorhouse
Michael J
MJ
van der Spek
Peter J
PJ
Löwenberg
Bob
B
Valk
Peter J M
PJ
D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000235:genetics; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007621:Karyotyping; D007951:Leukemia, Myeloid / Q000235:genetics; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D000090243:Nucleophosmin; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D010641:Phenotype; D012984:Software
D018952:Antigens, CD34; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D000090243:Nucleophosmin