Ocimum Biosolutions, a Hyderabad-based global integrated genomics services company, has received US patent (No. 7,558,411 B2) for developing a method and system for managing and querying gene expression data according to quality.

"Gene expression data quality is a primary priority at Ocimum Biosolutions and Gene Logic. Over the years, we have taken a leadership role in setting benchmarks in data quality. This patent reiterates our commitment to provide quality integrated solutions through our range of platforms and services" says Anuradha Acharya, CEO, Ocimum Biosolutions.

The new invention relates generally to a method and system for managing the quality control process in the analysis of gene expression data from DNA probe arrays. The invention is aimed at providing a centralized application for viewing, masking and pass/failing DNA probe microarrays, or "chips", making use of image processing (IP) metrics and limits, and to provide methods for global and local evaluation within a single microarray and for multiple array evaluation for purposes of quality control.

Further, this system provides enhanced functionality, permitting users to query on numerous chip parameters, and display as well as arrange results on a flexible grid.

An automated system and method are provided for analyzing gene expression data obtained from a plurality of microarrays having mismatch (MM) probe pairs and perfect match (PM) probe pairs. Image data for a plurality of scanned microarrays is stored in a database along with a set of microarray parameters, which includes one or more image processing metrics for quality control of the microarray and a pass/fail status of the microarray as determined by these metrics.

The user can search the database records according to one or more microarray parameters. The image processing metrics include algorithms for removing local background effects from the probe measurements by determining a model for estimated background using PM probe values. Other image processing metrics utilize a modified Robust Multi-array Averaging (RMA) applied to PM probes to assign weights to probes for determining overall quality of a microarray.

Gene expression is the process by which information from a gene is used in the synthesis of a functional gene product. Gene expression is used in disease research, drug discovery, pharmacogenomics (how a person's genes respond to drug treatments), toxicogenomics (prediction of toxicity) and molecular diagnostics.