This is a test version of Biostars. For the public version, visit https://www.biostars.org.
gene expression data analysis and batch effect methods

I have a gene expression data including intrinsic subtypes of breast cancer, but it does not have paired normal samples, Is it possible to use normal samples from different batch if I use batch effect removal methods eg COMBAT or DWD?

microarray gene-expression batch-effect

1 answer

No, that's not possible.
Your batch effect removal method doesn't know what is "technical-batch" difference and biological difference.

So when comparing tumor samples from batch A with normal samples from batch B you might be comparing technical differences in batch A with technical difference in batch B. Not biological differences. You don't know how big the batch effect is.

If you would have 4 tumor and 4 normal samples in batch A and 3 tumor and 3 normal in batch B you could combine the data and attempt batch removal, because now your software 'knows' which differences are biological and which are technical.

Thank you WouterDeCoster Regards

Log in to answer this question.