Automated microarray processing
BlueFuse makes it possible to direct the software to the folder where the scanner is saving whole array images. The software will automatically split, and if necessary rotate, images before completing the data analysis pipeline; grid placement, feature extraction, normalisation and identification of imbalances. The process can begin before the slides have been scanned because the software will continue to check the folder until each whole slide image is available.
This functionality enables scientists to load the scanner, direct BlueFuse to the correct file and then walk away. Upon returning all results are processed ready for interpretation and reporting.
During processing BlueFuse classifies imbalances as Benign? Pathogenic? Unknown? using a rules based comparison with DGV, ISCA and BlueGnome’s disease database. This assessment is used to produce a prioritised list of imbalances which may be further compared against a curated annotation database of web resources including Ensembl, Decipher, ISCA and DGV and, if available, tracks from external collaborators and consortia.
The classification of the region can then be confirmed or
manually changed to either Unknown, Benign, Probably Benign, Probably
Pathogenic or Pathogenic.
Critically all web sources used in the initial automated classification and the final manual confirmation are stored in perpetuity together with the array image in order to ensure the final decision is stored together with all the information upon which it was made.