title: IMGT, the international ImMunoGeneTics database.
abstract: IMGT, the international ImMunoGeneTics database (http://imgt.cnusc. fr:8104), is a high-quality integrated database specialising in Immunoglobulins (Ig), T cell Receptors (TcR) and Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecules of all vertebrate species, created in 1989 by Marie-Paule Lefranc, Université Montpellier II, CNRS, Montpellier, France (lefranc@ligm.igh.cnrs.fr). IMGT comprises three databases: LIGM-DB, a comprehensive database of Ig and TcR, MHC/HLA-DB, and PRIMER-DB (the last two in development); a tool, IMGT/DNAPLOT, developed for sequence analysis and alignments; and expertised data based on the IMGT scientific chart, the IMGT repertoire. By its high quality and its easy data distribution, IMGT has important implications in medical research (repertoire in autoimmune diseases, AIDS, leukemias, lymphomas), therapeutic approaches (antibody engineering), genome diversity and genome evolution studies. IMGT is freely available at http://imgt.cnusc. fr:8104
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire d'ImmunoGénétique Moléculaire, Université Montpellier II, UPR CNRS 1142 IGH, 141 rue de la Cardonille, 34396 Montpellier Cedex 5, France. lefranc@ligm.igh.cnrs.fr
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Lefranc
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Giudicelli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ginestoux
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bodmer
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Müller
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bontrop
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lemaitre
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Malik
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Barbié
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chaume
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005602:France; D005803:Genes, Immunoglobulin; D019672:Genes, T-Cell Receptor; D014644:Genetic Variation; D007125:Immunogenetics; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval; D020407:Internet; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex / Q000235:genetics; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D017421:Sequence Analysis; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014714:Vertebrates
chemical_list: D007136:Immunoglobulins; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell