NEXTDB: The Expression Pattern Map Database for C.elegans

We have developed a WWW-based database, named NEXTDB, to integrate all the information of ESTs (tag-sequences of cDNA clones) and gene expression patterns of C.elegans which are being produced and analyzed in this laboratory. NEXTDB incorporates and processes raw data of tag sequencing and classi es them into unique cDNA groups by comparing the 3'-tags. The database contains the information on map position of the cDNA groups, correspondence to predicted CDSs and homologies to other organisms' genes. NEXTDB incorporates image data of in situ hybridization which show the expression patterns of individual cDNA groups and provides us a platform for annotation of the images. The database also contains the cosmid contig maps obtained from AceDB . All of the information are linked each other in NEXTDB, which can be accessed through the internet.