The Handbook of Statistics, a series of self-contained reference books. Each volume is devoted to a particular topic in statistics with Volume 28 dealing with bioinformatics. Every chapter is written by prominent workers in the area to which the volume is devoted. The series is addressed to the entire community of statisticians and scientists in various disciplines who use statistical methodology in their work. At the same time, special emphasis is placed on applications-oriented techniques, with the applied statistician in mind as the primary audience.