Composite hybridization arrays

Abstract

Composite hybridization arrays and averaged hybridization arrays are provided. Composite hybridization arrays are formed from a user selected set of hybridization arrays, and once instantiated in a hybridization array database, are available for searching, analysis, and other data processing as with other types of hybridization arrays. This allows otherwise experiments using multiple different nucleotide microarrays to be efficiently consolidated and analyzed. Averaged hybridization arrays provided correctly averaged values from multiple user selected dual channel hybridization arrays.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A computer implemented method of forming a composite hybridization data array, the method comprising: 
 receiving a user selection of a plurality of individual hybridization data arrays, each hybridization data array corresponding to a microarray having a distinct set of nucleotide sequences and a microarray design having a number of array locations storing the sequences;    forming a composite microarray design from the microarray designs of the user selected hybridization data arrays, such the composite microarray design has a total number of array locations equal to the total number of array locations in the user selected hybridization data arrays;    associating the composite microarray design with a new composite hybridization data array; and    establishing for each array location of the composite hybridization data array a transcript abundance value from an array location of one of the user selected hybridization arrays.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein establishing for each array location of the composite hybridization data array a transcript abundance value comprises: 
 providing an association from the array location of the composite hybridization data array to the array location of the of the user selected hybridization data array.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein establishing for each array location of the composite hybridization data array a relative transcript abundance value comprises: 
 copying the transcript abundance from the array location of the of the user selected hybridization data array to a corresponding array location in the composite hybridization data array.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user selected hybridization data arrays each have a same technology type and data source for the transcript abundance values.  
     
     
         5 . A computer program product, stored on a computer readable medium, for controlling a processor to form a composite hybridization data array by performing the steps of: 
 receiving a user selection of a plurality of individual hybridization data arrays, each hybridization data array corresponding to a microarray having a distinct set of nucleotide sequences and a microarray design having a number of array locations storing the sequences;    forming a composite microarray design from the microarray designs of the user selected hybridization data arrays, such the composite microarray design has a total number of array locations equal to the total number of array locations in the user selected hybridization data arrays;    associating the composite microarray design with a new composite hybridization data array; and    establishing for each array location of the composite hybridization data array a relative transcript abundance value from an array location of one of the user selected hybridization data arrays.    
     
     
         6 . A composite hybridization array data structure stored on a computer readable medium and readable by a computer process for processing hybridization values from a user selected plurality of hybridization data arrays, the composite hybridization array data structure comprising: 
 links to a plurality of user selected constituent hybridization data arrays, each constituent hybridization having a microarray design and a number of array elements, each array element storing a transcript abundance measure; and    a composite array design defining a number of array elements for the composite hybridization data array equal to a total number of the array elements of the constituent hybridization data arrays.    
     
     
         7 . The composite hybridization array data structure of  claim 6 , wherein the user selected hybridization data arrays each have a same technology type and data source for the transcript abundance values.  
     
     
         8 . The composite hybridization array data structure of  claim 6 , wherein each array element of the composite hybridization data array stores a duplicate of a transcript abundance measure from an array element of one of the constituent hybridization data arrays.