CSCI 8002 Project Proposal: Implementing Dynamic Time Warping Through Relational Algebra Extensions to Perform Alignment Microarray Gene Expression Data

Analyzing multiple microarray experimental data sets, which are comprised of levels of gene expression, induces several challenges. Of particular interest to biologists are genes that are differentially expressed, that is, significantly altered up or down levels over time, which may lead to identification of disease involved genes. Dynamic Time Warping (DTW) is a computational method that has the ability to align time-oriented microarray gene expression data and capture patterns that are useful in the identification of differentially expressed genes. Microarray analysis tools limit ability to ask novel and complex question by a computer scientist to assist life science research. The expressive power of relational databases can remove these limitations. However, DTW operations are not currently available in relational databases. We propose an approach, using relational algebra extensions, to implement DTW in relational databases. This will enhance the computer scientists to provide information to life scientist, which can lead to the identification of disease involved genes.