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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Ames, Iowa » Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #316659
Title: MaizeGDB: The Maize Genetics and Genomics Database.

Author
item Harper, Elisabeth
item GARDINER, JACK - Iowa State University
item Andorf, Carson
item Lawrence, Carolyn

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/2/2015
Publication Date: 1/5/2016
Citation: Harper, E.C., Gardiner, J., Andorf, C.M., Lawrence, C.J. 2016. MaizeGDB: The Maize Genetics and Genomics Database. In: Edwards, D. Plant Bioinformatics, Methods and Protocols. 2nd Edition. New York, NY: Humana Press. p.187-202.

Interpretive Summary: It is in the national interest to have a public, long term repository for biological information for our most important cereal food crop-corn. The USDA funded Maize Genetic and Genomic Database, MaizeGDB for short, provides this role. The mission of MaizeGDB is to identify, capture and distribute biological data on corn, and provide tools for the public to view and analyze this data. The staff at MaizeGDB works with applied and basic research scientists to find data that is useful to corn breeders and integrate it into the MaizeGDB database. This makes it easier for corn breeders and researchers to find relevant research they can use to improve corn. This book chapter outlines the current types of data stored at MaizeGDB, and explains the ways users can find, view and analyze the data.

Technical Abstract: MaizeGDB is the community database for biological information about the crop plant Zea mays. Genomic, genetic, sequence, gene product, functional characterization, literature reference, and person/organization contact information are among the datatypes stored at MaizeGDB. At the project’s website (http://www.maizegdb.org) are custom interfaces enabling researchers to browse data and to seek out specific information matching explicit search criteria. In addition, pre-compiled reports are made available for particular types of data and bulletin boards are provided to facilitate communication and coordination among members of the community of maize geneticists.