Public Data Repositories
The following sites are public access data repositories for genomic, proteomic, and informatics data in the sciences. These sites provide detailed scientific data sets and information on a wide range of topics, and are useful across several disciplines.
Genomics, Proteomics, and Bioinformatics
Knowledge Discovery in Biology and Medicine: provided by Gene Cards, this service provides detailed data on human genomics. Searching for a specific gene sequence will yield extensive information, including: description, chromosomal location, proteins and protein domains, sequences, expression in human tissue, similar genes in other organisms, related disorders, and so forth.
Mouse Genome Informatics: this site provides data similar to the Gene Cards site above, specific to the genomics and genetics of the laboratory mouse.
Protein Databank: this repository stores 3-dimensional macromolecular structure data on characterized proteins. Viewing software is required to view the 3D models of the proteins; several software options are accessible via the Protein Databank’s web site.
GenBank: this database, provided by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), provides access to the National Institute of Health’s annotated collection of all publicly available DNA sequences. The link here will take you to a page outlining the various searching options that can be used to search GenBank.
TIGR Genome Project Databases: TIGR, or The Insitute for Genomic Research, is a non-profit organization dedicated to furthering the study of genetics. TIGR provides access to the “TIGR Genome Projects,” a collection of databases covering numerous areas of genetic, genomic, and proteomic information.
Chemistry and Cheminformatics
NCI Database: a large, publicly-accessible chemical structures database providing structure, properties, and other data on more than 250,000 compounds.
Berkeley Smells Database: provides information on chemicals and their odors.
Geosciences
National Geophysical Data Center: Part of the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Association, the NGDC provides maps, imagery, and downloadable. The site is organized into six broad areas: Earth observations from space; geomagnetic data and models; natural hazards; marine geology and geophysics; bathymetry and global relief; and space weather and solar events.
