Genbank
GenBank
GenBank (/ˈdʒɛn.bæŋk/) is a publicly accessible database that collects all publicly available nucleotide sequences and their protein translations. This database is produced and maintained by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) as part of the International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration (INSDC).
Etymology
The term "GenBank" is derived from the words "gene" and "bank". The term "gene" (/dʒiːn/) comes from the Greek word "genos" meaning "birth" or "origin". The term "bank" (/bæŋk/) comes from the Italian word "banca" meaning "bench" or "moneylender's table".
History
GenBank was established in 1982 by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as a public repository for genetic sequence data. It has grown exponentially since its inception, with the database doubling in size every 18 months.
Function
GenBank is a vital resource for scientists worldwide. It allows researchers to access and submit nucleotide and protein sequences, annotate and maintain these sequences, and use tools like BLAST for sequence comparison. GenBank's data is used in a wide range of biological research, including phylogenetics, genomic studies, and molecular biology.
Related Terms
- Nucleotide: The basic building block of nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA.
- Protein: A complex molecule composed of amino acids that performs a vast array of functions within organisms.
- Database: An organized collection of data, generally stored and accessed electronically.
- National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI): A part of the United States National Library of Medicine, a branch of the National Institutes of Health.
- International Nucleotide Sequence Database Collaboration (INSDC): A global collaboration of databases that collect and disseminate nucleotide sequence information.
- National Institutes of Health (NIH): The primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and public health research.
- Genetic sequence: The order of nucleotides in DNA or RNA, or of amino acids in a protein.
- BLAST: A computer algorithm used to compare primary biological sequence information.
- Phylogenetics: The study of the evolutionary history and relationships among individuals or groups of organisms.
- Genomic: Pertaining to genomes, the genetic material of an organism.
- Molecular biology: The branch of biology that deals with the structure and function of the macromolecules essential to life.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Genbank
- Wikipedia's article - Genbank
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