XYLab: an interactive plotting tool for mixed multivariate data observation and interpretation

The correct display of data is often a key point for interpreting the results of experimental procedures. Multivariate data sets suffer from the problem of representation, since a dimensionality above 3 is beyond the capability of plotting programs. Moreover, non numerical variables such as protein annotations are usually fundamental for a full comprehension of biological data. Here we present a novel interactive XY plotter designed to take the full control of large datasets containing mixed-type variables, provided with an intuitive data management, a powerful labelling system and other features aimed at facilitating data interpretation and sub-setting. Availability XYLab program, test dataset and manual is available at www4.unifi.it/scibio/bioinfo/ XYLab.html.