title: Bioinformatics tools and database resources for systems genetics analysis in mice--a short review and an evaluation of future needs.
abstract: During a meeting of the SYSGENET working group 'Bioinformatics', currently available software tools and databases for systems genetics in mice were reviewed and the needs for future developments discussed. The group evaluated interoperability and performed initial feasibility studies. To aid future compatibility of software and exchange of already developed software modules, a strong recommendation was made by the group to integrate HAPPY and R/qtl analysis toolboxes, GeneNetwork and XGAP database platforms, and TIQS and xQTL processing platforms. R should be used as the principal computer language for QTL data analysis in all platforms and a 'cloud' should be used for software dissemination to the community. Furthermore, the working group recommended that all data models and software source code should be made visible in public repositories to allow a coordinated effort on the use of common data structures and file formats.
authors.affiliation: University of Oxford.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Durrant
authors.forename: Morris A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Swertz
authors.forename: Rudi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alberts
authors.forename: Danny
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Arends
authors.forename: Steffen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Möller
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mott
authors.forename: Pjotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Prins
authors.forename: K Joeri
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: van der Velde
authors.forename: Ritsert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Jansen
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schughart
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D019295:Computational Biology / Q000379:methods*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D053263:Gene Regulatory Networks; D051379:Mice / Q000235:genetics; D040641:Quantitative Trait Loci; D012984:Software