S-score: A novel scoring method of gene signatures for molecular classification

Gene signatures have been utilized to discover the inferred biological functions under gene expression profiles. We present a novel sample scoring method called Signature-score (S-score). S-score quantifies the expression pattern by using gene signatures and has better accuracy and robustness than other scoring methods. A confidence boundary of S-score is determined to identify the status of samples for which gene signatures represent. Through the quantitative and qualitative analyses of S-score, we will be able to unambiguously identify the qualitative status of enriched pathways or biological processes. This scoring method will not only allow researchers to explore novel functions for microarray studies, but also to focus on known biological functions that manifest the phenotype.