Visualizing gene co-expression as google maps

Abstract

We visualize gene co-regulation patterns by creating 2D embeddings from microarray data corresponding to complete gene sets from the mouse genome, across large numbers of cell types. We use google maps and client-side graphics to disseminate pre-rendered such visualizations with a small but intuitive set of interactions. We conduct an anecdotal evaluation with domain specialists and demonstrate that biologists appreciate this approach because it facilitates low-overhead access to readily analyzable perspectives of unfamiliar datasets and because it offers a convenient way of disseminating large datasets in visual form. © 2010 Springer-Verlag.