PlasmoDB.org - A Tutorial of New Features

Background: PlasmoDB.org (http://Plasmodb.org), a component of the Eukaryotic Pathogen Database EuPathDB.org, is a free, online data mining resource that facilitates the discovery of meaningful biological relationships from large volumes of data by integrating pre-analyzed omics data with advanced search capabilities, data visualization and analysis tools. Methods, Results and Conclusions: PlasmoDB currently contains data from 20 different Plasmodium species and strains including P. vivax and the closely related P. cynomolgi.The database currently has SNP data from 171 P. vivax isolates (representing 7 strains from 9 countries) that are available for searches. PlasmoDB searches integrate a wide range of data including genome sequence and annotation, transcriptomics, proteomics, epigenomics, metabolomics, population resequencing clinical and field isolates, and data that inform host-pathogen interactions. We pre-calculate orthology between all Plasmodium and other pathogen and host species genes effectively permitting the user to leverage data and information that may be available for orthologs but missing in P. vivax. Individual search results can be combined into strategies that easily merge evidence from diverse data types and across organisms. Easily accessible tools enhance the search strategy system and include dynamic data visualization, comparative genome analysis, population genetics tools, and functional or pathway enrichment. Future Directions: Forthcoming new tools and functionalities include a private user workspace for primary data analysis, functional analysis tools for result summarization, genome browser and query improvements and a galaxy instance that permits you to map your RNA-seq reads against our reference genome sequences and then upload, view and analyze your results within the context of our database without submitting them to us. This comprehensive resource places the power of bioinformatics with the entire scientific community in support of hypothesis driven research. User support includes an email help desk ([email protected]), social media, a You Tube channel with tutorials and a worldwide program of workshops. I am happy to provide a demonstration and we are offering a pre-meeting workshop.