Software

d-matrix – database exploration, visualization and analysis

Dominik Seelow¹ , Raffaello Galli¹ , Siegrun Mebus² , Hans-Peter Sperling^1,2 , Hans Lehrach¹ and Silke Sperling¹

¹  Vertebrate Genomics, Max-Planck-Institute for Molecular Genetics, Ihnestr. 73, 14195 Berlin, Germany

²  Pediatric Cardiology, German Heart Center, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany

author email corresponding author email

BMC Bioinformatics 2004, 5:168doi:10.1186/1471-2105-5-168

Published:	28 October 2004

Abstract

Background

Motivated by a biomedical database set up by our group, we aimed to develop a generic database front-end with embedded knowledge discovery and analysis features. A major focus was the human-oriented representation of the data and the enabling of a closed circle of data query, exploration, visualization and analysis.

Results

We introduce a non-task-specific database front-end with a new visualization strategy and built-in analysis features, so called d-matrix. d-matrix is web-based and compatible with a broad range of database management systems. The graphical outcome consists of boxes whose colors show the quality of the underlying information and, as the name suggests, they are arranged in matrices. The granularity of the data display allows consequent drill-down. Furthermore, d-matrix offers context-sensitive categorization, hierarchical sorting and statistical analysis.

Conclusions

d-matrix enables data mining, with a high level of interactivity between humans and computer as a primary factor. We believe that the presented strategy can be very effective in general and especially useful for the integration of distinct data types such as phenotypical and molecular data.