BioSMACK: A linux Live CD for analysis of genome-wide association

Recent advancement of high-throughput genotyping technologies has enabled us to carry out a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in a large cohort. However, analyzing millions of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) is still a troublesome task for researchers to encounter in conducting GWAS. Several difficulties in using analysis tools are one of the major challenges for researchers such as compatibility and dependencies during installation process of softwares. This is a huge obstacle to research institute without computing facilities and specialists. Thus proper research environment is an urgent demand for researchers working on GWAS. We developed BioSMACK to provide research environment for GWAS with no configuration and easy usage. BioSMACK is based on Ubuntu Live CD that offers complete linux-based operating system environment without installation. Moreover, we provide users with GWAS manual that is consist of series of guidelines for GWAS and useful examples. BioSMACK is freely available at http://ksnp.cdc.go.kr/biosmack.