November 1, 2007 (Vol. 27, No. 19)
Rating:
Strong Points: Useful databases
Weak Points: Nothing significant
Summary:
PANTHER (Protein Analysis Through Evolutionary Relationships) is an online resource that classifies genes by function. It is another of the many sites I have discovered via another one (in this case, the one above) and the approach here is an interesting one. In contrast to the ubiquitous (and inexpensive) classifying of information by the cold CPU of a computer, PANTHER employs real, live human beings to classify proteins into families and subfamilies with common functions. Wherever appropriate, interaction pathways are linked and can be viewed directly. Species in the database include humans, mice, rats, and Drosophila melanogaster. Search options include Genes (by keyword, location, or function), Protein Families (PANTHER families), Pathways, and Ontologies. Gene Expression too can be analyzed at this powerful site.
