RepWeb: A Web-Based Search Tool for Repeat-Related Literatures

Repetitive sequences such as SINE, LINE, and LTR elements form a major part of eukaryotic genomes. A literature search tool that summarizes the information contained within repeat elements would provide biologists in the field of genomics with a useful tool for analyzing genomic sequence features. We developed a java program designed to make literature access easier by using two search engines simultaneously. RepWeb is a web-based search system that provides a user friendly interface for searching the reference data and journals for information related to repeat elements by using the search engines, Google Scholar and PubMed, simultaneously. It provides an interface that displays the repeat element- related biological information, and includes useful functions such as the production of a repeat tree, clickable links to PubMed and Google Scholar, exporting, and sorting a field into date, author, journal and title.

REPEATOME: A Database for Repeat Element Comparative Analysis in Human and Chimpanzee

An increasing number of primate genomes are being sequenced. A direct comparison of repeat elements in human genes and their corresponding chimpanzee orthologs will not only give information on their evolution, but also shed light on the major evolutionary events that shaped our species. We have developed REPEATOME to enable visualization and subsequent comparisons of human and chimpanzee repeat elements. REPEATOME (http://www.repeatome.org/) provides easy access to a complete repeat element map of the human genome, as well as repeat element-associated information. It provides a convenient and effective way to access the repeat elements within or spanning the functional regions in human and chimpanzee genome sequences. REPEATOME includes information to compare repeat elements and gene structures of human genes and their counterparts in chimpanzee. This database can be accessed using comparative search options such as intersection, union, and difference to find lineage-specific or common repeat elements. REPEATOME allows researchers to perform visualization and comparative analysis of repeat elements in human and chimpanzee.

PrimateDB: Development of Primate Genome DB and Web Service

The comparative analysis of the human and primate genomes including the chimpanzee can reveal unique types of information impossible to obtain from comparing the human genome with the genomes of other vertebrates. PrimateDB is an open depository server that provides primate genome information for the comparative genome research. The database also provides an easy access to variable information within/between the primate genomes and supports analyzed information, such as annotation and retroelements and phylogeny. The comparative analyses of more primate genomes are also being included as the long-term objective.