Bioinformatic Tools for Interpretation of Glycan Array Data

Project Summary / Abstract There is an urgent need of analysis tools for mining glycan array data in order to accurately and statistically study the interactions between cell-surface glycans and glycan-binding proteins. In this SBIR program we propose to develop a software and hardware integrated system for analysis and interpretation of glycan array data. The problem with existing glycan array data mining tools is that they give binding information only for simplistic substructures of glycans and not complex binding determinants, and they lack consistent signal quantification in an automated way. To solve this problem, Z Biotech, LLC (a glycan array provider) is teaming with Dr. Brian Haab’s lab at the Van Andel Institute (a software provider) to develop and improve a robust glycan-array data mining tool (MotifFinder) and a glycan-array image analysis program (SignalFinder). Z Biotech has invented a robust glycan array platform having the advantage to display glycans on solid surfaces in a multivalent form. The glycan arrays Z Biotech provides have superior performance with the criteria for a high-quality microarray, which is suitable for generation of glycan array data for evaluation of analysis tools like MotifFinder and SignalFinder. In addition, the Haab research group has been leading developments in glycan-array analysis tools. They were the first to publish an algorithm for the analysis of glycan-array data in 2010, and subsequently have contributed many innovations. In the Phase I project, we developed MotifFinder for fully automating the analysis, including new approaches for identifying subtle patterns and features in the glycan array data. In addition, we developed SignalFinder for the automated image analysis of glycan-array images. This software program addresses the previous bottlenecks and limitations in the array image analysis. It is built on the unique algorithm that has functioned well for the automated analysis of immunofluorescence and microarray images. The goal for the Phase II project is to enhance the ability of the two glycan-array mining tools through testing on glycan arrays with the expanded glycan library. The resultant glycan-array analysis system with hardware and software will have a broad impact on glycobiology research, glycan-related biomarker characterization, and new drug development targeting glycans.