The eFG Array Mapping Environment

The Ensembl Functional Genomics (eFG) environment has been expanded to incorporate array mapping functionality. Historically, arrays from different vendors have been processed in similar, but non-identical ways due to differing array designs, with the output being stored in the core database. The 'arrays' environment unifies this process within the eFG database to provide a new standardised array mapping procedure for all array formats. This involves a two step process whereby probe sequences are aligned both to genomic and transcript sequences, and then subsequently transcripts are annotated with xrefs(DBEntries) dependant on the quality of the probe alignments around a given transcript locus.

The 'arrays' environment provides easily accessible and interactive command line functions to help run and administer the array mapping pipeline. Recent developments include broader array format support and multi-species capability, along with capture of much more detailed mapping information. This data has yet to be seen in the Ensembl browser, but from release 55 we will start redirecting the web displays to use the eFG data, with a view to developing a more detailed 'Probe' panel at some point later in the year.

We will endeavour to provide alignments and mappings of all popular arrays, for all others we invite you to try out the eFG 'arrays' environment. For more information check out(literally):

ensembl-functgenomics/docs/array_mapping.txt

Or see it online here.

If you have any questions, please mail ensembl-dev@ebi.ac.uk