The vast amount of data generated from microarray analysis cannot be processed into a meaningful format without the appropriate hardware and software solutions. Hence, new bioinformatic tools will be developed for transcriptional profiling of DC, for integrating the data obtained by complementary proteomic techniques, and for developing databases that will ultimately become a centrally available European and world wide resource. These research areas comprise the core of Cluster 1 of the joint research project that will be integrated with other themes (e.g. signalling pathways in Cluster 2, immune responses in Cluster 3, and clinical responses in Cluster 4). The Functional Genomics Platform will be lead by Ricciardi-Castagnoli (P32: Genopolis, IT).