A suite of Perl modules for handling microarray data.
We describe PerlMAT, a Perl microarray toolkit providing easy to use object-oriented methods for the simplified manipulation, management and analysis of microarray data. The toolkit provides objects for the encapsulation of microarray spots and reporters, several common microarray data file formats and GAL files. In addition, an analysis object provides methods for data processing, and an image object enables the visualisation of microarray data. This important addition to the Perl developer's library will facilitate more widespread use of Perl for microarray application development within the bioinformatics community. The coherent interface and well-documented code enables rapid analysis by even inexperienced Perl developers.


BACKGROUND
Software is available at http://sourceforge.net/projects/perlmat
Morris
James A
JA
Translational Research Laboratories, UCL EGA Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
Gayther
Simon A
SA
Jacobs
Ian J
IJ
Jones
Christopher
C
D000465:Algorithms; D003628:Database Management Systems; D030541:Databases, Genetic; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods*; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval / Q000379:methods*; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D011381:Programming Languages; D012984:Software; D014584:User-Computer Interface