caB2B is a caGrid client that permits scientists to leverage caBIG^® compatible data services through a user friendly GUI.  A metadata-based query interface enables end user to search virtually any caGrid data service.  The ultimate goal of the tool is to aid translational researchers in combining data from tools like a caBIG^® biospecimen repository service, caTissue Core/Suite, with data from a microarray data repository like caArray and use the analytical services to analyze and visualize the results.  caB2B has two modules, the administrative module and the end user client. 

The administrative module of caB2B is a GUI where the administrator can customize a particular instance for end users.  For example, an administrator can select models and service instances that may be queried, curate paths between classes in models, and create joins across models or applications. 

The end user client is a Java application that enables end users to query for and persist data available on the caGrid.  It also allows for the analysis and visualization of this information.  The query component consists of a diagrammatic view that allows the user to create a directed acyclic graph of the query that is to be executed and also helps the user to connect two or more classes to be searched.  The data obtained from the query may be saved as a ‘virtual experiment’ and analyzed further.  The end user may also visualize data in the experiment by using various graphical components.  Thus, caB2B is a caGrid client capable of querying and analyzing available data on the caGrid.  The complex combinatorial, visual, and statistical analyses that it currently enables and will facilitate in the future will result in a better understanding of the complex pathophysiology of polyfactorial diseases and will accelerate the identification of potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for these illnesses.