What is FlowSOM?

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What is FlowSOM?

FlowSOM is a clustering and visualization tool that facilitates the analysis of high-dimensional data. Clusters are arranged via a Self-Organizing Map (SOM) in a Minimum Spanning Tree, in which events within a given cluster are most similar to each other, followed by to those within an adjacent cluster. A second clustering step (i.e., meta-clustering) is subsequently performed, in which the clusters themselves are grouped according to similarity, which can provide a basis for discerning biological similarity.

How to implement FlowSOM in FCS Express

High-dimensional single-cell technologies, such as multicolor flow cytometry, mass cytometry, and image cytometry, can measure dozens of parameters at the single-cell level.  This presents an innate challenge to an efficient and truly informative analysis of these large datasets.

Now accessible through FCS Express Pipelines is FlowSOM, a clustering and visualization tool that facilitates the analysis of high-dimensional data. Clusters are arranged via a Self-Organizing Map (SOM) in a Minimum Spanning Tree, in which events within a given cluster are most similar to each other, followed by to those within an adjacent cluster.  A second clustering step (i.e., meta-clustering) is subsequently performed, in which the clusters themselves are grouped according to similarity, which can provide a basis for discerning biological similarity.

FlowSOM_with_slices_radius

Learn more about FlowSOM in the FCS Express Manual, and watch FlowSOM being set up and run in the short video below.

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