Cytoscape 2.8: new features for data integration and network visualization

TLDR

Cytoscape is a widely used bioinformatics platform for visualizing biological networks and integrating diverse data types, with downloadable binaries and source code available at cytoscape.org. Version 2.8 adds Custom Node Graphics and Attribute Equations to significantly improve Cytoscape’s data integration and visualization capabilities. Custom Node Graphics project images onto nodes—including dynamically generated or remote images—while Attribute Equations compute attribute values on the fly based on other attributes and network properties.

Abstract

Cytoscape is a popular bioinformatics package for biological network visualization and data integration. Version 2.8 introduces two powerful new features--Custom Node Graphics and Attribute Equations--which can be used jointly to greatly enhance Cytoscape's data integration and visualization capabilities. Custom Node Graphics allow an image to be projected onto a node, including images generated dynamically or at remote locations. Attribute Equations provide Cytoscape with spreadsheet-like functionality in which the value of an attribute is computed dynamically as a function of other attributes and network properties.Cytoscape is a desktop Java application released under the Library Gnu Public License (LGPL). Binary install bundles and source code for Cytoscape 2.8 are available for download from http://cytoscape.org.