Shopping for Genes

Leaning strongly towards the bio today, I thought I’d mention a new database for biologists that works like a shopping mall. An international team has opened a virtual bazaar, called PAZAR, which allows biologists to share information about gene regulation through individually managed boutiques. Customers may draw data for free from any boutique or extract information from the “superstores” that aggregate data of similar types.

In deciphering the human genome sequence, researchers hope to understand the “when and where” of gene expression because it could underpin novel cancer therapies, stem cells treatments for degenerative disease, and explain complex diseases such as diabetes.