Cytoscape is an open source bioinformatics software platform for visualizing molecular interaction networks and biological pathways and integrating these networks with annotations, gene expression
profiles and other state data. Although Cytoscape was originally designed for
biological research, now it is a general platform for complex network analysis and
visualization. Cytoscape core distribution provides a basic set of features
for data integration and visualization. Additional features are available as plugins. Plugins are available for network and molecular
profiling analyses, new layouts, additional file format support, scripting, and connection
with databases. Plugins may be developed by anyone using the Cytoscape open API based on Java™ technology and plugin community development is encouraged. Most of the
plugins are freely available.