Integrative analysis of omics data

Book chapter, 2017

Data generation and analysis are essential parts of systems biology. Today, large amounts of omics data can be generated fast and cost-efficiently thanks to the development of modern high-throughput measurement techniques. Their interpretation is, however, challenging because of the high dimensionality and the often substantial levels of noise. Integrative analysis provides a framework for analysis of the omics data from a biological perspective, starting from the raw data, via preprocessing and statistical analysis, to the interpretation of the results. By integrating the data into structures created from biological information available in resources, databases, or genome-scale models, the focus moves from the individual transcripts or proteins to the entire pathways and other relevant biochemical functions present in the cell. The result provides a context-based interpretation of the omics data, which can be used to form a holistic and unbiased view of biological systems at a molecular level.The concept of integrative analysis can be used formany forms of omics data, including genome sequencing, transcriptomics, and proteomics, and can be applied to a wide range of fields within the life sciences.