GNCPro: Navigate human genes and relationships through net-walking

Abstract

The use of computational applications in biological research is significantly lagging behind other scientific research areas such as physics, mathematics, and geology; more in silico tools are needed. The increasing complexity of biological data makes it more and more difficult for scientists to verify their hypotheses and results against existing discoveries. GNCPro is a free data integration and visualization tool for gaining comprehensive overviews of such complicated biological knowledge. In particular, GNCPro warehouses and encodes biological information as binary relationships. When represented graphically, these binary relationships take on the form of edges that connect the genes and proteins, which are represented by nodes. By using distinguishing features such as colors, shape, and opacity, GNCPro provides a stimulating visual experience in which the user can quickly identify groups of genes by annotations and the types of relationships involved. GNCPro integrates human gene expressions, regulations, gene product modifications, and interactions into one platform while delivering a simple and powerful user interface for systems biology study. Availability: http://GNCPro.sabiosciences.com . © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.