Current trends in publicly available genetic databases

Abstract

Analysis of human genetic data promises to uncover important disease targets. Genes known to cause or increase susceptibility for various diseases are being identified through analysis of genetic data, expression and metabolites. Future benefits to individuals are far-reaching, including improved gene therapy strategies, better drug development for disease treatment, pre-symptomatic disease intervention and risk susceptibility information. The rapid expansion of genetic databases has resulted in the emerging areas of genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics. The article presents a comprehensive overview of Internet databases, their trends over time and what 'omics' type they embody. With the completion of the human genome we are entering the postgenomic era. The use of microarrays and database software for genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic data for clinical assays and new diagnostic therapeutics will result in large, interlinked databases that will present unique issues of data management, standardization and information sharing.