Three-dimensional visualization of protein interaction networks

Protein interaction networks provide us with contextual information within which protein function can be interpreted and will assist many biomedical studies. We have developed a new force-directed layout algorithm for visualizing protein interactions in three-dimensional space. Our algorithm divides nodes into three groups based on their interacting properties: biconnected sub-graph in the center, terminal nodes at the outermost region, and the rest in between them. Experimental results show that our algorithm efficiently generates a clear and aesthetically pleasing drawing of large-scale protein interaction networks and that it is an order of magnitude faster than other force-directed layouts. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.