Aberystwyth, Wales, UK and Brussels, Belgium, December 1, 2003--Optimal Design, Sprl. has announced that the University of Wales in Aberystwyth has deployed ArrayMiner, an emerging standard in clustering and visualization software that utilizes a sophisticated optimization technique in search for the best clusters for a given dataset. The University of Wales’ Aberystwyth application again marks ArrayMiner as an emerging standard in its field. ArrayMiner’s optimization technique is a special type of genetic algorithm that Optimal Design has developed over the last decade, according to Optimal Design’s president Dr. Emanuel Falkenauer. In commenting on the application, Institute of Biological Sciences Pro-Vice Chancellor John Barrett, said, “ArrayMiner is very useful because it creates clusters that make biological sense. Although it was designed for microarray data analysis, we use it for unsupervised clustering in relation to population studies and also in relation to data mining. It is a superb program for unsupervised clustering where you make no prior decision on how the data is clustered, and it’s very good in detecting outliers, things that don’t cluster with anything else. It offers the best clustering algorithm I have seen. Also, the visual outputs, like the 3-D graphs and the heat map, make matching very easy visually.”

In describing his work, Professor Barrett said, “We use it on projects trying to distinguish between two parasite populations,” Professor Barrett continued. “The unsupervised clusters validate a model that was made by supervised clustering. The model tells us that these are the factors which will distinguish between the two populations.”

“Extracting knowledge from microarray data or for this interesting application from parasite biology, is an art that derives from a deep-seated understanding of the mathematical process involved and from experience in interpreting the data's behavior,” noted Dr. Falkenauer, president of Optimal Design. “ArrayMiner offers a unique solution to biologists’ data analysis needs. ArrayMiner identifies the real structure of the data versus arbitrarily selecting a number of ‘seed’ structures that will not enable you to see the forest for the trees. It provides ‘knowledge in a box’ – a superior clustering algorithm that captures most of the expertise required to utilize microarray data. That is why the product is on its way to becoming the industry standard.”

“Clustering is useful when it identifies the biology behind data,” added Falkenauer. “ArrayMiner can help distinguish clusters that researchers know should be different according to their biological experiments. Standard tools cannot distinguish these clusters.”

To support other creative use of its technology in the academic arena Optimal Design is offering a version of ArrayMiner without any charge. It is limited to 500 genes and 10 experiments for the clustering module and 500 genes for the ClassMarker tool.

Special Projects: Optimal Design is willing to collaborate with researchers in projects that will advance ArrayMiner as the benchmark Clustering Algorithm. Contact Dr. Falkenauer directly to explore such opportunities.

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About Institute of Biological Sciences, The University of Wales, Aberystwyth

The Institute (IBS) occupies two adjacent buildings, the Cledwyn Building and the Edward Llwyd Building, which are situated on a modern university campus overlooking the West Wales coastal town of Aberystwyth. IBS contains an enthusiastic and stimulating mixture of people both working and studying in a variety of areas within biology.

There are 32 full-time academic staff and 34 postdoctoral fellows and research associates who are helped in their work by 37 technical and secretarial staff. Approximately 200 undergraduates are recruited onto 12 degree schemes each year and there are currently 45 postgraduate students working towards PhD, M.Phil and M.Res. degrees. Also offered are a number of taught postgraduate M.Sc./Diploma courses, both as residential and distance learning courses.

The Institute has strong links with other Departments within UW Aberystwyth including the Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences (IGES) and the Institute of Rural Studies (IRS). Teaching collaborations between IBS and IGES enable the department to offer BSc. Hons. Environmental Science and a similar collaboration with IRS has resulted in the development of the new degree scheme, BSc Hons. Behavioural Biology.

About Optimal Design

Optimal Design, Sprl., a Belgian company, is a spin-off of Brussels University (ULB). Building upon more than a decade of top quality research into Genetic Algorithms by its founders, Optimal Design specializes in development of high-performance optimization software solving highly complex problems arising in production planning, engineering and science.

ArrayMiner® is a clustering and visualization tool that drastically reduces the uncertainty associated with solving difficult clustering problems. ArrayMiner utilizes a sophisticated optimization technique in search for the best clusters for a given dataset. The optimization technique used in ArrayMiner is a special type of genetic algorithm developed over the last decade by Optimal Design. The technique is specifically designed for solving difficult clustering problems.

For more information or interview requests, contact Optimal Design, Sprl.:
Emanuel Falkenauer, Ph.D.
President and CEO
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www.optimaldesign.com
+32 (0)67 883761:

Howard Oliver / Richard Rotman
What If What Next ™
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416-638-8582


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