title: BμG@Sbase--a microbial gene expression and comparative genomic database.
abstract: The reducing cost of high-throughput functional genomic technologies is creating a deluge of high volume, complex data, placing the burden on bioinformatics resources and tool development. The Bacterial Microarray Group at St George's (BμG@S) has been at the forefront of bacterial microarray design and analysis for over a decade and while serving as a hub of a global network of microbial research groups has developed BμG@Sbase, a microbial gene expression and comparative genomic database. BμG@Sbase (http://bugs.sgul.ac.uk/bugsbase/) is a web-browsable, expertly curated, MIAME-compliant database that stores comprehensive experimental annotation and multiple raw and analysed data formats. Consistent annotation is enabled through a structured set of web forms, which guide the user through the process following a set of best practices and controlled vocabulary. The database currently contains 86 expertly curated publicly available data sets (with a further 124 not yet published) and full annotation information for 59 bacterial microarray designs. The data can be browsed and queried using an explorer-like interface; integrating intuitive tree diagrams to present complex experimental details clearly and concisely. Furthermore the modular design of the database will provide a robust platform for integrating other data types beyond microarrays into a more Systems analysis based future.
authors.affiliation: Bacterial Microarray Group, Centre for Infection & Immunity, Division of Clinical Sciences, St George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK. awitney@sgul.ac.uk
authors.forename: Adam A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Witney
authors.forename: Denise E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Waldron
authors.forename: Lucy A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Brooks
authors.forename: Richard H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Tyler
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Withers
authors.forename: Neil G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Stoker
authors.forename: Brendan W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Wren
authors.forename: Philip D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Butcher
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hinds
mesh_terms: D030541:Databases, Genetic; D015870:Gene Expression; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D016680:Genome, Bacterial; D023281:Genomics; D058977:Molecular Sequence Annotation; D020411:Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; D014584:User-Computer Interface