Poster: Visualizing metabolomics data in directed biological networks

We developed a new solution to visualize the biological pathways involved in sparse metabolomics data. Using knowledge from two pathway resources and ontology-based approaches, we can show the directed networks between active metabolites from metabolomics data. The data from both resources is made interoperable by collapsing metabolites in the pathways into single nodes in the biological networks using ontological approaches. This explicit ontological linking allows for precise biological interpretation of the paths. By using Neo4j and Cytoscape, we ensure the computational calculation environment for larger networks as well as advanced visualization functionality to investigate the identified subnetworks. The generic nature of this approach opens up the option to combine with other omics data sources, such as proteomics and transcriptomics.