Design and implementation of microarray gene expression markup language (MAGE-ML)

Paul T. Spellman, Michael Miller, Jason Stewart, Charles Troup, Ugis Sarkans, Steve Chervitz, Derek Bernhart, Gavin Sherlock, Catherine Ball, Marc Lepage, Marcin Swiatek, Wl Marks, Jason Goncalves, Scott Markel, Daniel Iordan, Mohammadreza Shojatalab, Angel Pizarro, Joe White, Robert Hubley, Eric DeutschMartin Senger, Bruce J. Aronow, Alan Robinson, Doug Bassett, Christian J. Stoeckert, Alvis Brazma

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

381 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: Meaningful exchange of microarray data is currently difficult because it is rare that published data provide sufficient information depth or are even in the same format from one publication to another. Only when data can be easily exchanged will the entire biological community be able to derive the full benefit from such microarray studies. Results: To this end we have developed three key ingredients towards standardizing the storage and exchange of microarray data. First, we have created a minimal information for the annotation of a microarray experiment (MIAME)-compliant conceptualization of microarray experiments modeled using the unified modeling language (UML) named MAGE-OM (microarray gene expression object model). Second, we have translated MAGE-OM into an XML-based data format, MAGE-ML, to facilitate the exchange of data. Third, some of us are now using MAGE (or its progenitors) in data production settings. Finally, we have developed a freely available software tool kit (MAGE-STK) that eases the integration of MAGE-ML into end users' systems. Conclusions: MAGE will help microarray data producers and users to exchange information by providing a common platform for data exchange, and MAGE-STK will make the adoption of MAGE easier.

Original languageEnglish
Article numberresearch0046.1
JournalGenome biology
Volume3
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2002
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Application Programmer Interface
  • Database Schema
  • Microarray Experiment
  • Microarray Gene Expression
  • Unify Modeling Language

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