CAPweb:: a bioinformatics CGH array Analysis Platform

Assessing variations in DNA copy number is crucial for understanding constitutional or somatic diseases, particularly cancers. The recently developed array- CGH( comparativegenomic hybridization) technology allows this to be investigated at the genomic level. We report the availability of a web tool for analysing array- CGH data. CAPweb ( CGH array Analysis Platform on the Web) is intended as a user- friendly tool enabling biologists to completely analyse CGH arrays from the raw data to the visualization and biological interpretation. The user typically performs the following bioinformatics steps of a CGH array project within CAP web: the secure upload of the results of CGH array image analysis and of the array annotation ( genomic position of the probes); first level analysis of each array, including automatic normalization of the data ( for correcting experimental biases), breakpoint detection and status assignment ( gain, loss or normal); validation or deletion of the analysis based on a summary report and quality criteria; visualization and biological analysis of the genomic profiles and results through a user- friendly interface. CAPweb is accessible at http://bioinfo.curie.fr/CAPweb.