April 1, 2007 (Vol. 27, No. 7)
URL:
http://snp.wustl.edu/SNPseek/index.cgi
Rating:
Strong Points: Database, educational content
Weak Points: Not very broad or inspired
Summary:
As this site points out, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are abundant in the human genome and an understanding of them will help us to better understand the differences between people. Humans have fewer SNP variations than other organisms (about 1 base per 1,330). Interestingly, humans have fewer variations on the X and Y chromosomes than we do on the autosomes. The SNPseek site, hosted at Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL), has, in addition to a databases of known SNPs, an informative educational segment where even research scientists could learn a thing or two. Sequences can be searched, browsed, or retrieved via a single interface. That’s about all there is to find at the site, save for some general information about the designers and the WUSTL facility. The database and educational content justify a visit.
