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The data set accompanying this document consists of sixteen human samples processed by Illumina MethylationEPIC  BeadChip arrays. The data set is taken from a study of DNA methylation in human B cells and  B cells infected with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). 

Infecting B cells with EBV in vitro transforms them, making them capable of indefinite growth in vitro. These immortalized cell lines are referred to as lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs). LCLs behave similarly to activated B cells, making them useful for expanding T cells in vitro. Because EBV is a carcinogen and immortalized cell growth is a hallmark of cancer, examining the effects of EBV transformation on B cell DNA methylation might shed light on the roles of DNA methylation in tumor development.  

The data files can be downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus using accession number  GSE93373. To follow this tutorial, download the 32 .idat files associated with GSE93373 (note that two .idat files are generated for each array) and unzip them on your local computer using 7-zip, WinRAR, or a similar program. The .idat files can be downloaded individually by selecting the links for each sample or all together in one zipped folder by selecting the GSE93373_RAW.tar file at the bottom of the page.