BISON: bio-interface for the semi-global analysis of network patterns

Christopher Besemann¹ , Anne Denton¹ , Nathan J Carr² and Birgit M Prüβ²

¹Department of Computer Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo ND 58105, USA

²Department of Veterinary and Microbiological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo ND 58105, USA

author email corresponding author email

Source Code for Biology and Medicine 2006, 1:8doi:10.1186/1751-0473-1-8


Published:	29 November 2006

Abstract

Background

The large amount of genomics data that have accumulated over the past decade require extensive data mining. However, the global nature of data mining, which includes pattern mining, poses difficulties for users who want to study specific questions in a more local environment. This creates a need for techniques that allow a localized analysis of globally determined patterns.

Results

We developed a tool that determines and evaluates global patterns based on protein property and network information, while providing all the benefits of a perspective that is targeted at biologist users with specific goals and interests. Our tool uses our own data mining techniques, integrated into current visualization and navigation techniques. The functionality of the tool is discussed in the context of the transcriptional network of regulation in the enteric bacterium Escherichia coli. Two biological questions were asked: (i) Which functional categories of proteins (identified by hidden Markov models) are regulated by a regulator with a specific domain? (ii) Which regulators are involved in the regulation of proteins that contain a common hidden Markov model? Using these examples, we explain the gene-centered and pattern-centered analysis that the tool permits.

Conclusion

In summary, we have a tool that can be used for a wide variety of applications in biology, medicine, or agriculture. The pattern mining engine is global in the way that patterns are determined across the entire network. The tool still permits a localized analysis for users who want to analyze a subportion of the total network. We have named the tool BISON (Bio-Interface for the Semi-global analysis Of Network patterns).