GUANIN: GUi-driven Analyzer for NanoString Interactive Normalization

Abstract

[Abstract] Most tools for NanoString data normalization, aside from the default NanoString nCounter software, are R packages that focus on technical normalization but lack configurable parameters. However, content normalization is the most sensitive, experiment-specific, and relevant step to preprocess NanoString data. Currently, this step requires the use of multiple tools and deep management and understanding of all the normalization process by the researcher. To simplify this crucial step, we have developed GUANIN, a complete normalization tool that offers a wide variety of options to introduce, filter, choose, and evaluate reference genes for content normalization. GUANIN allows, among other features, introducing reference genes from an endogenous subset, a useful approach that addresses the problems associated with the selection of housekeeping genes only. GUANIN allows specific and straightforward normalization approach for each experiment, using a wide variety of parameters with suggested adjustments. GUANIN outperforms other available methods in terms of normalization, especially when comparison groups are defined beforehand, and allows the researcher to comprehensively interact with the preprocessing process without programming knowledge