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Biology in silico : Creation of an online bioinformatics portal for researchers, clinicians, & students Carrie L. Iwema , PhD, MLS , John LaDue , MLIS , Fran Yarger , MA , MAED , & Ansuman Chattopadhyay , PhD Health Sciences Library System, University of Pittsburgh.
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Biology in silico:Creation of an online bioinformatics portal for researchers, clinicians, & students Carrie L. Iwema, PhD, MLS, John LaDue, MLIS, Fran Yarger, MA, MAED, & Ansuman Chattopadhyay, PhD Health Sciences Library System, University of Pittsburgh • Scientists are inundated with an increasingly vast array of options for data manipulation, resulting in confusion about selecting the most appropriate resources. • To help users connect to this information, we developed an online portal that promotes access to the many resources and services geared towards researchers using bioinformatics & molecular/systems biology databases & tools. 4. HSLS MolBio Information Service 1. Tab-Based Search Engine 2. OBRC (Online Bioinformatics Research Collection) Objective Dramatic rise in # bioinformatics resources in the past 10 years. v.314 10/20/2006 4-pronged approach The OBRC organizes bioinformatics resources into 13 major categories. http://www.hsls.pitt.edu/guides/genetics Most resources originate from the annual Web Server and Databases issues of Nucleic Acids Research. • The core of the MolBio portal is a tab-based search engine which provides quick access to the major bioinformatics databases, software tools, & related literature online, in addition to library-supported licensed resources (indicated w/an “*”). • Each tab offers a federated search of a different pool of resources, including an Online Bioinformatics Resource Collection manually curated by the library’s Molecular Biology Information Specialists. • Search results are organized into meaningful categories using Vivisimo clustering technology and are directly accessible from the portal. • Additional resources include a step-by-step guide to basic bioinformatics questions, an extensive schedule of both introductory and tool-based bioinformatics workshops, and a consultation service. • Success of the portal and associated services is monitored by automated usage statistics, workshop attendance, and requests for individual assistance. • Prior to launching the MolBio portal, usability tests were performed to gather feedback from potential users. Description Genes/Proteins NCBI Entrez Gene Protein Lounge* “How Do I’s” Workshops Licensed Tools Pathways Protein Lounge* Science STKE Database* All OBRC entries are manually curated. 5. Statistics Licensed Tool $$$$$individual vs. institutional costs # OBRC entries =~1900 # website hits/day =~3000 Protocols Protocol Online, BioMedProtocols*, Cold Spring Harbor Protocols*, Current Protocols*, Methods*, Methods in Enzymology*, Nature Methods*, Nature Protocols*, STKE Protocols* 3. Vivisimo Clustering Databases & Software OBRC BioMed Central Databases X X X X X 3.5 X 8 X 3 X 8 X 4 X Total # attendees Average # attendees /workshop Recommended Articles Faculty of 1000 Biology* Articles on Databases & Software filtered PubMed search 2008 Jan-April = 226