The volcano plot displays p-values and fold-changes of numerous genomic features (e.g., genes or probe sets) at the same time. This allows differentially expressed genes to be quickly identified and saved as a gene list.

Note: the same list can be generated without a visual aid using the List Manager (ANOVA Streamlined tab).

We will invoke a volcano plot from an ANOVA results child spreadsheet with genes on rows. 

The Volcano Plot Configure dialog will open (Figure 2). 

 

The volcano plot will open in a new tab (Figure 3). Control and color options for the volcano plot are largely similar to those described for a dot plot. On volcano plots with many probe(sets)/genes, the shapes and sizes of individual probe(sets)/genes will not be visible until they are selected. 

 

 

To facilitate analysis, we can add cutoff lines for both fold-change and p-value. 

The volcano plot now has cutoff lines for fold-change and p-value (Figure 6).

 

Because we selected Select all points in a section when adding the cutoff lines, selecting any of the quandrants will select all probe(sets)/genes in that quadrant. If this option is not selected, individual probe(sets)/genes or groups can be selected using selection mode. Gene lists can be generated from selected probe(sets)/genes. 

If columns are selected in the ANOVA results source spreadsheet for the volcano plot, only those columns will be included in the created list.

The list will be saved as a text file and open as a child spreadsheet in the Analysis tab.