A simple spreadsheet-based, MIAME-supportive format for microarray data: MAGE-TAB

Background: Sharing of microarray data within the research community has been greatly facilitated by the development of the disclosure and communication standards MIAME and MAGEML by the MGED Society. However, the complexity of the MAGE-ML format has made its use impractical for laboratories lacking dedicated bioinformatics support. Results: We propose a simple tab-delimited, spreadsheet-based format, MAGE-TAB, which will become a part of the MAGE microarray data standard and can be used for annotating and communicating microarray data in a MIAME compliant fashion. Conclusion: MAGE-TAB will enable laboratories without bioinformatics experience or support to manage, exchange and submit well-annotated microarray data in a standard format using a spreadsheet. The MAGE-TAB format is self-contained, and does not require an understanding of MAGE-ML or XML. Published: 06 November 2006 BMC Bioinformatics 2006, 7:489 doi:10.1186/1471-2105-7-489 Received: 21 August 2006 Accepted: 06 November 20...

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2006
• Where: BMCBI
• Authors: Tim F. Rayner, Philippe Rocca-Serra, Paul T. Spellman, Helen C. Causton, Anna Farne, Ele Holloway, Rafael A. Irizarry, Junmin Liu, Donald Maier, Michael Miller, Kjell Petersen, John Quackenbush, Gavin Sherlock, Christian J. Stoeckert Jr., Joseph White, Patricia L. Whetzel, Farrell Wymore, Helen E. Parkinson, Ugis Sarkans, Catherine A. Ball, Alvis Brazma
• Keywords: BMCBI 2006, MAGE Microarray Data, Microarray Data, Well-annotated Microarray Data