Ensembl

Ensembl is a comprehensive genome browser that provides a centralized resource for geneticists, molecular biologists, and other researchers to access genomic information. It is a joint project between the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI) and the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. Ensembl aims to annotate, analyze, and provide access to the genomes of vertebrates and other eukaryotic species.

History

Ensembl was launched in 1999, primarily to support the Human Genome Project. The project has since expanded to include a wide range of species, including model organisms such as mouse, zebrafish, and fruit fly, as well as agricultural species like cow and chicken.

Features

Ensembl offers a variety of tools and resources for genomic research:

• Genome Browser: A graphical interface that allows users to visualize genomic data, including gene structures, sequence alignments, and variation data.
• BioMart: A data mining tool that enables users to perform complex queries across multiple datasets.
• APIs: Ensembl provides APIs for programmatic access to its data, including Perl, REST, and Python interfaces.
• Variation Data: Information on genetic variants, including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and structural variants.
• Comparative Genomics: Tools for comparing genomes across different species, including whole-genome alignments and ortholog predictions.

Data Sources

Ensembl integrates data from a variety of sources, including:

• GenBank: A comprehensive public database of nucleotide sequences.
• RefSeq: A curated collection of DNA, RNA, and protein sequences.
• UniProt: A database of protein sequence and functional information.
• dbSNP: A database of single nucleotide polymorphisms.

Usage

Ensembl is widely used in the fields of genomics, bioinformatics, and molecular biology. It supports research in areas such as:

• Gene Annotation: Identifying and annotating genes and their functions.
• Comparative Genomics: Studying the evolutionary relationships between species.
• Genetic Variation: Investigating the role of genetic variants in health and disease.
• Functional Genomics: Understanding the functional elements of the genome, such as regulatory regions and non-coding RNAs.

Related Pages

• Genome Browser
• European Bioinformatics Institute
• Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute
• Human Genome Project
• GenBank
• RefSeq
• UniProt
• dbSNP
• Genomics
• Bioinformatics
• Molecular Biology

See Also

• List of genome databases
• Gene annotation
• Comparative genomics
• Genetic variation
• Functional genomics