EzArray: A web-based highly automated Affymetrix expression array data management and analysis system

EzArray is a web-based Affymetrix expression array data management and analysis system for researchers who need to organize microarray data efficiently and get data analyzed instantly. EzArray organizes microarray data into projects that can be analyzed online with predefined or custom procedures. EzArray performs data preprocessing and detection of differentially expressed genes with statistical methods. All analysis procedures are optimized and highly automated so that even novice users with limited pre-knowledge of microarray data analysis can complete initial analysis quickly. Since all input files, analysis parameters, and executed scripts can be downloaded, EzArray provides maximum reproducibility for each analysis. In addition, EzArray integrates with Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and allows instantaneous re-analysis of published array data.EzArray is a novel Affymetrix expression array data analysis and sharing system. EzArray provides easy-to-use tools for re-analyzing published microarray data and will help both novice and experienced users perform initial analysis of their microarray data from the location of data storage. We believe EzArray will be a useful system for facilities with microarray services and laboratories with multiple members involved in microarray data analysis. EzArray is freely available from http://www.ezarray.com/ webcite.One of the major problems that life science researchers have to cope with is the management of huge amounts of data, which is ever increasing with advances in robotics and microarray technologies. More and more laboratories have begun adopting Structured Query Language (SQL)-based relational databases, such as Oracle and MySQL, to solve life sciences data management problems. Another major problem in life sciences is secure and efficient data sharing, especially when the data is in large scale. A common temporary solution is using shared folders on the internet or intranet; however, this option provides minimal data