COSMIC cancer database

COSMIC (Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer) is a comprehensive database that catalogs somatic mutations in cancer. It aims to provide a detailed and comprehensive resource for the scientific community to understand the genetic basis of human cancers. COSMIC aggregates data from various sources, including scientific literature and high-throughput sequencing projects, making it a pivotal resource for researchers and clinicians in the field of oncology.

Overview

COSMIC is designed to store and present somatic mutation information related to human cancers. It encompasses data on point mutations, gene fusions, copy number variations, and significantly more, covering a wide array of cancer types. The database is continually updated to include new findings from cancer genomics research, ensuring that it remains an up-to-date resource for understanding the genetic alterations associated with cancer development and progression.

Data Collection and Integration

The data in COSMIC is collected from two main sources: peer-reviewed scientific literature and large-scale genomics projects. The curation team at COSMIC meticulously reviews published studies on cancer genomics to extract and integrate mutation data. Additionally, COSMIC incorporates data from global cancer genomics initiatives, such as The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC), which contribute large-scale sequencing data.

Features and Tools

COSMIC offers a variety of features and tools to facilitate the exploration and analysis of cancer genomics data. These include:

• Cancer Browser: Allows users to explore the genetic alterations across different cancer types.
• Gene Analysis: Provides detailed information on mutations within specific genes, including mutation frequencies, types, and associated cancer types.
• Genome Browser: Enables visualization of mutations within the context of the human genome.
• Mutation Analysis: Offers tools for analyzing patterns of mutations across different cancers.

Applications

The information contained within COSMIC has a wide range of applications in cancer research and medicine. It is used to:

• Identify potential genetic targets for cancer therapy.
• Understand the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer development.
• Inform the design of cancer genomics studies.
• Guide the interpretation of mutations identified in clinical sequencing.

Access

COSMIC is freely accessible to academic and non-profit researchers, while commercial users are required to obtain a license. The database is available online through its website, where users can search for specific mutations, genes, or cancer types, and access the various analysis tools provided.

Conclusion

COSMIC serves as an essential resource for the cancer research community, offering comprehensive data on somatic mutations in cancer. By providing access to detailed genetic information, COSMIC supports the advancement of cancer research and the development of targeted cancer therapies.

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