February 1, 2008 (Vol. 28, No. 3)
URL:
http://symatlas.gnf.org/SymAtlas
Rating:
Strong Points: Fast search engine
Weak Points: Interface needs some work
Summary:
As noted at the site, “SymAtlas is a web-application for publishing experimental gene functionalization datasets integrated with a flexibly searchable gene-centric database of public and proprietary annotations.” Hosted by the Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, GNF SymAtlas provides access to an RNA expression database with numerous options for searching and hyperlinked subtext within the returned results. The interface is a little awkward (pop-up text when mousing over program options) and two sections to search text in the search window. It is not clear why these were not merged into one. Searches can be limited by species, keyword, author, and more. Returned results are extensively hyperlinked, so be prepared to do a lot of clicking to find what you’re after.