Here is my humble report on open source software I use for biotech research and data visualization.
It seems to me that the programming language named "python" is acquiring a nice library of supporting math and science packages for biotech (and other sciences).
It even has some concise matrix operators, which in my opinion make it a better "tool for thought", like APL and j.
I love one-liners.
For data visualization, I'm using the open source spread sheet called "gnumeric".
A charismatic maintainer who goes by the nick name "jean" on the #gnumeric IRC channel has added code to make complex and versatie charts.
Combined with the built in spread sheet functions, I think it's hard to beat.
So, that's what I tihnk I know.
Thanks,
Kingsley