Exploratory data analysis of DNA microarrays by multivariate curve resolution.

In this work, the application of a multivariate curve resolution procedure based on alternating least squares optimization (MCR-ALS) for the analysis of data from DNA microarrays is proposed. For this purpose, simulated and publicly available experimental data sets have been analyzed. Application of MCR-ALS, a method that operates without the use of any training set, has enabled the resolution of the relevant information about different cancer lines classification using a set of few components; each of these defined by a sample and a pure gene expression profile. From resolved sample profiles, a classification of samples according to their origin is proposed. From the resolved pure gene expression profiles, a set of over- or underexpressed genes that could be related to the development of cancer diseases has been selected. Advantages of the MCR-ALS procedure in relation to other previously proposed procedures such as principal component analysis are discussed.