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Molecular Biology and Genetics
Resources
Michele R. Tennant
Special Libraries Association Annual Meeting
12 June 2000
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The following print and electronic resources are some of the most popular
among my library clientele. They have been divided into three sections:
Molecular and Genetic Research Protocols; Bioinformatics
and Database Resources; and Clinical/Human
Genetics Resources.
MOLECULAR AND GENETIC RESEARCH PROTOCOLS: WEB
RESOURCES
Biology Protocols
(NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center)
http://www.nwfsc.noaa.gov/protocols.html
This
site provides protocols on a variety of techniques, including DNA purification,
DNA library preparation, Southern/Northern blotting, DNA sequencing, PCR,
protein purification, etc. The site provides a "Techniques Forum"
to which users can submit protocols or questions.
Biological Procedures Online (University of
Waterloo)
http://sciborg.uwaterloo.ca/bpo/bpo.htm
This site is a fulltext, free-of-charge,
peer reviewed electronic journal that publishes "new research techniques
or novel adaptations of existing techniques… in all areas of the biological
and medical sciences."
Cell and Molecular Biology Online: Methods and
Protocols
http://www.cellbio.com/protocols.html
Links
to a variety of protocols (primarily those from specific research laboratories).
Includes DNA and cell biology protocols, as well as those specifically for
Drosophila, Saccharomyces, Caenorhabditis, and Xenopus.
DoubleTwist Protocols Online
http://www.protocol-online.net
Concentrates
on protocols in molecular biology, cell biology and immunology, and a large
collection of nonclassified "Unsorted" protocols. The "Quick
Access Table" organizes the protocols by discipline and topic and facilitates
retrieval. BioMail News Group and Discussion Forums for the three major disciplines
are available. The site is keyword searchable.
Laboratory Resources: Molecular Biology Toolkit
http://healthlinks.washington.edu/basic_sciences/molbio/laboratory.html
The
Molecular Biology Toolkit from the University of Washington is the best "library-sponsored"
compilation of resources I’ve seen. The creator of the site, Stu Yarfitz,
is a Ph.D. molecular biologist who works as the library’s bioinformatics specialist.
The "Laboratory Resources" section includes Yarfitz’s favorite protocol
and methods sites, reference tools, and supply sites. The higher-level page
links to a variety of bioinformatics tools (see below).
Microarray Project (National Human Genome Research
Institute)
http://www.nhgri.nih.gov/DIR/LCG/15K/HTML/
Microarrays
are the new hot technique, and this page from the National Human Genome Research
Institute provides extensive information on this tool. The site describes
the Institute’s Microarray Project, and links to downloadable protocols from
their Laboratory of Cancer Genetics. Links to array images and other microarray
sites are included.
Model Organism Databases (Sanger Centre)
http://www.sanger.ac.uk/Info/Links/modelorgs.shtml
Links
to a variety of model organism web sites, including those of Dictyostelium,
Fugu, zebrafish, and several livestock genomes. Since the site comes from
the Sanger Centre, many of the links concentrate on genome and genetics databases
for these species.
Nucleic Acids Research Methods
http://www3.oup.co.uk/nar/methods/
This resource is available only on the web. Articles
are published as "methods papers if an outstanding and potentially very
useful advance is clearly documented." Although these papers are not
published in the print NAR, they are fully citable, and are listed in the
Table of Contents in the print version denoted by a sequential number with
the prefix ‘e'. (Print subscriptions to NAR currently include online access
to NAR and NARmethods).
WWW Virtual Library of Cell Biology: Methods,
Protocols and Software
http://vl.bwh.harvard.edu/methods.shtml
One of the many WWW virtual library sites, this
one concentrates on methods, protocols, software and discussion groups for
cellular and molecular biology.
WWW Virtual Library: Model Organisms
http://ceolas.org/VL/mo/
Links
to diverse sites for model organisms than those linked to by the Sanger Centre.
Describes attributes of model organisms and why they are used in research,
and links to various general model organism resources as well as those for
specific taxa. Includes links to NIH’s reference site for model organisms
(information on resource sharing, funding opportunities, etc.).
MOLECULAR AND GENETIC RESEARCH PROTOCOLS: PRINT
RESOURCES
Current Protocols in Human Genetics
1994-; John Wiley and Sons; ISBN 0471034207
Primary
resource on protocols in investigational clinical genetics. Includes protocols
for genetic mapping, development of genetic markers, somatic cell hybrids,
cytogenetics, large-insert cloning and analysis, identifying candidate genes
in genomic DNA, searching candidate genes for mutations, clinical cytogenetics,
clinical molecular genetics, cancer genetics, bioinformatics, vectors for
gene therapy, delivery systems for gene therapy, and forensic genetics. Useful
for clinical genetics researchers as well as clinicians interested in learning
more about human molecular protocols. The protocols are updated several times
a year.
Current Protocols in Molecular Biology,
1994-; John Wiley and Sons; ISBN 047150338X
Another
loose-leaf in the very popular Current Protocols series, this resource concentrates
on a wide variety of molecular biology protocols. Chapters include: plasmids
and bacteriophages; preparation and analysis of DNA; preparation and analysis
of RNA; construction of recombinant DNA libraries; DNA sequencing; mutagenesis
of cloned DNASaccharomyces cerevisae; in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry;
polymerase chain reaction; protein expression; and a variety of other topics.
Appendices include information on standard measurements, data and abbreviations;
commonly used reagents and equipment; commonly used techniques in biochemistry
and molecular biology; selected suppliers of reagents and equipment; and vectors.
Contains a useful index.
Other titles in the Current Protocols series
include: Cell Biology; Cytometry; Immunology; Neuroscience; Nucleic Acid
Chemistry; Pharmacology; Protein Science; and Toxicology.
Methods in Molecular Biology,
Humana Press; ISSN 1064-3745
Methods in Molecular Medicine,
Humana Press
Practical Approach Series,
Oxford University Press
These three series cover
molecular, genetic and cellular protocols. Each volume contains protocols
for a particular disorder, organism, molecule, discipline or technique. Recent
topics include PCR, DNA diagnosis, Xenopus methods, microarrays, etc.
We can’t keep these on the shelf.
BIOINFORMATICS
AND MOLECULAR/GENETIC DATABASE WEB RESOURCES:
Current Opinion Titles – "Web Alerts"
Current
Biology Press publishes several journals under the "Current Opinion"
banner, including Cell Biology, Chemical Biology, Genes and Development, Microbiology,
Neurobiology and Structural Biology. Issues of these titles contain "Web
Alerts"; discussions on various web pages that are relevant to the papers
published in that issue. Many of these web pages are related to bioinformatics,
genetics and molecular biology. Recent web alerts have included those on Nucleus
and Gene Expression, Combinatorial Chemistry, Genetics of Disease, Cell Regulation,
Cognitive Neuroscience, and Macromolecular Assemblages. (Titles available
electronically through ScienceDirect).
Molecular Biologist Toolkit (University of Washington,
Health Sciences Libraries)
http://healthlinks.washington.edu/basic_sciences/molbio/
The
index page to Stu Yarfitz’s site. Includes links to many resources outside
the University of Washington, including bioinformatics, nucleic acid and protein
analysis, genomics, and other molecular resources. The "Text and Tutorials"
link under Education leads to online classes, textbooks, and tutorials for
a variety of databases and software tools.
National Center for Biotechnology Information
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
If you need one "researchy" site, this
is the one to visit. Contains links to a variety of NCBI databases, including
GenBank (nucleotide and protein sequences), Structures (three- dimensional
viewing of protein structures), Genomes (full and partial genomes of organisms)
and a multitude of other resources. Links to PubMed, Journal Browser and Citation
Matcher are available. The first stop for research geneticists/molecular biologists.
Nucleic Acids Research (Database Issue)
The first issue of the year of this popular journal
is known as the "Database Issue", as it provides papers on over
100 molecular, genetic, and bioinformatics resources, most of which are available
over the web. Some of the databases are new; other papers describe enhancements
to old favorites. The e-journal version is especially nice, as it provides
links directly to the databases themselves. (Print subscriptions to NAR currently
include online access to NAR and NARmethods).
CLINICAL GENETICS WEB
RESOURCES:
Clinical Genetics – A Self Study for Health
Care Providers (University of Iowa; Virtual Hospital)
http://www.vh.org/Providers/Textbooks/ClinicalGenetics/Contents.html
Created
by Virginia Johnson (MD, Medical Genetics Professor) and Carol Christianson
(MS, Genetics Counselor), this site is a self-study inservice training in
medical genetics. This site was developed to "provide health care professionals
(social workers, nutritionists, physical therapists, occupational therapists,
nurses, nurse practitioners, physicians, physician assistants, and educators)
with the necessary background information, skills and tools to recognize the
need for a genetics referral, identify area resources, and provide supportive
care for individuals and families with a genetic disorder." Includes
4 lessons, a glossary, annotated bibliography, visual aids for patients, and
a directory of regional genetics networks.
Gene Cards: Human Genes, Proteins, and Diseases
http://bioinformatics.weizmann.ac.il/cards/
Database
of concise information on human genes, proteins, and genetic disorders. Searchable
system that "extracts" information from a variety of other databases
(OMIM, GenBank, etc.). Search system includes a "spell corrector"
and "navigation support system" that facilitates information retrieval.
Final printable products include "GeneCards", summaries of the extracted
information.
GeneClinics
http://www.geneclinics.org/
GeneClinics
is a "medical knowledge base relating genetic testing to the diagnosis,
management, and genetic counseling of individuals and families with specific
inherited disorders". GeneClinics currently includes 64 peer-reviewed
expert-authored disease profiles and 6 disease overviews. Written at a level
for patients to understand, but also useful for clinicians. Current profiles
are updated as new information becomes available. Links to other resources
such as OMIM and HGMD (Human Gene Mutation Database). Also includes a Resources
section with links to evaluated national organization web sites, and a genetics
counseling section on risk assessment.
GeneTests
http://www.genetests.org/
GeneTests
comes from the University of Washington and is funded by the National Library
of Medicine (NIH) and the Maternal Child Health Bureau (HRSA). This site includes
a worldwide Genetics Laboratory Directory and a U.S. Genetics Clinic Directory.
GeneTests may be accessed by all healthcare professionals but requires initial
registration to receive user name and password for subsequent uses. The Laboratory
Directory lists the laboratories that test for inherited disorders (subdivided
by diagnostic and research purposes). GeneTests provides an introduction to
genetic counseling and genetic testing terms, and also includes summary information
for health policy-makers. New diseases added to the site in the last 30 days
are highlighted. Will soon have a link to PowerPoint teaching module for genetics
educators.
Genes and Disease (National Library of Medicine)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/disease/
Easy
to read basic introductions to the genetics of particular disorders. User
may choose from chromosome or organ system. Links to a variety of other web
pages. Good basic resource for patients. Currently lists fewer disorders than
some of the other sites, but is rapidly expanding in content.
Genetic Alliance (formerly Alliance of Genetic
Support Groups)
http://www.geneticalliance.org/
The Genetic Alliance was created as a nonprofit
"national coalition of consumers, professionals and genetic support groups
to voice the common concerns of children, adults and families living with,
and at risk for, genetic conditions". This page includes a searchable
database of member organizations (by condition, organization name, service
offered). Includes links to multiple educational resources for students and
educators. Patients and families can subscribe to a listserv; the organization’s
Information Resource Center accepts questions via mail, e-mail, and phone.
The site links to information resources in bioethics, genetics careers, educational
resources, ethnocultural issues, genetics resources, grief and loss, Medicaid
and SSI, and the group’s newsletter Alliance Alert.
HUM-MOLGEN
http://www.hum-molgen.de/
This
web resource allows genetics professionals (clinicians and researchers) and
patients to share the latest information on human molecular genetics. HUM-MOLGEN
is an international "moderated communication service in human genetics"
and includes a variety of services and discussion groups. Researchers and
clinicians can send messages to identify potential collaborative research
groups, locate equipment and protocols, share insights into difficult diagnoses,
etc.; patients can request information through the HUM-MOLGEN editorial board.
Includes multiple links to other genetics web pages.
Information for Genetics Professionals (Univ.
of Kansas Medical Center)
http://www.kumc.edu/gec/geneinfo.html
The
most diverse and comprehensive web site with information for clinicians, patients,
educators, students and researchers. The page links to scores of genetics
support groups, genetic society web pages and information on genetics meetings
and conferences. A genetics education center includes dozens of curricula
from grade school through college level and links to professional level genetics
courses and materials written for the lay public. Ethical, Legal and Social
Implications (ELSI) of the Human Genome Project, and frequently asked questions
on genetics and genetic disorders are also covered. A search engine helps
locate information buried in this information-rich site.
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
http://www.rarediseases.org/
NORD
provides information and services on "rare" disorders; those which
affect less then 200,000 individuals in the United States (there are over
5000 rare disorders!). NORD is a group of 140 not for profit voluntary health
organizations, whose mission is "working toward the prevention, treatment
and cure of rare orphan diseases" (many of which are genetic in nature).
This web site has three searchable databases: Rare Diseases (over 1100), Organizational
Database, and Orphan Drug Database (over 900 drugs). Short descriptions are
available free of charge; fulltext documents are available at a cost. The
page links to the NORD Medication Assistance Program, Used Medical Equipment
Exchange, research grant program, and NORD’s newsletter Orphan Disease
Update.
Office of Genetics and Disease Prevention (CDC)
http://www.cdc.gov/genetics/
The
mission of this office is to "integrate advances in human genetics into
public health research, policy and program development and evaluation".
This office helps public health officials, clinicians and educators apply
genetics to disease prevention. The page links to factsheets and the e-newsletter
Genetics & Disease Prevention, which includes genetics announcements,
updates on scientific discovery, a detailed "genetics in the news"
section and upcoming genetics events. The site also links to a "careers
in genetics" page.
Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/omim/
This
site is probably the best place to start for comprehensive overviews of genetic
disorders. OMIM is the online version of the popular 3 volume print set Mendelian
Inheritance in Man. Covers over 11,000 human genes and genetic
disorders in up-to-date broad overviews (you can think of these as review
articles that are constantly updated). Includes information on clinical features,
inheritance, mapping, molecular genetics, pathogenesis, diagnosis, clinical
management, animal models, allelic variation, population genetics, etc., if
known for a particular human gene or genetic disorder. References include
links to PubMed records/abstracts, as well as a variety of "researchy"
databases (GenBank, Protein Databank, Genome Database, Mouse Genome Database,
etc.). Reviews are updated as knowledge is discovered; records provide update
history dates. Written at the advanced student/professional level.
CLINICAL GENETICS: PRINT RESOURCES
Emery and Rimoin’s Principles and Practice
of Medical Genetics
Rimoin, David L., et. al.; 3rd
edition, 2 v., 2037 pp.; Churchill Livingstone; ISBN 0443048517
This
2 v. set is written for practitioners and students and is a high quality encyclopedic
reference. The resource begins with a chapter on the history of medical genetics,
and then covers basic principles such as gene structure and function, Mendelian
inheritance, various genetic methods, mitochondrial genetics, etc. Section
2 concentrates on clinical applications and then covers disorders by medical
specialty. Multiple tables, figures and photographs highlight the concepts
and facts presented in the text.
Human Molecular Genetics
Strachan, Tom and Andrew P. Read.
2nd edition; 1999; 576 pp.; Wiley; ISBN 0471330612
This
excellent introductory text is the class of the field in human molecular genetics
and is equally useful for students, clinicians just learning about genetics,
and anyone interested in medical genetics concepts as well as protocols and
experimental methods. The book is extremely current (e.g., covers Microarrays;
Bioinformatics), fairly easy to read, and emphasizes humans. Includes an excellent
glossary; only 12 pages in length but definitions are substantial.
Medical Genetics
Jorde, Lynn B., et al.; 2nd
edition, 1999, 372 pp.; Mosby; ISBN 0815146086
Current but basic introduction to medical genetics
written for undergraduates and incoming graduate/professional students. Includes
a decent glossary (14 pp.) and study questions at the end of each chapter.
Unique quality is the link to a companion web site (http://medgen.genetics.utah.edu)
that provides updates and supplementary information, including photographs.
Metabolic and Molecular Bases of Inherited
Disease (MMBID)
Scrivner, Charles R., et. al.; 7th
edition, 1995, 3v., 4605 pp.; McGraw-Hill; ISBN 0079098266
This massive 3 volume text has moved beyond the
context of "inborn errors of metabolism" from previous editions;
now "if there is an identifiable molecular explanation for the disease
– and it affects a dynamic phenotype, metabolic or otherwise – then it is
a candidate for inclusion". The text is encyclopedic, with over 150 chapters
(32 new in this edition). Presents multiple summary tables of disorders. Concentrates
on the underlying molecular/genetic bases of disorders, as well as diagnosis
and management. The 8th edition is scheduled for 2000.
Molecular Biology in Medicine
Cox, Timothy M. and John Sinclair;
1997, 340 pp.; Blackwell Science; ISBN 0865427925
A
basic introduction to molecular biology and molecular genetics covering all
of the usual bases. Intended for clinicians and students new to these topics,
the book discusses many molecular/genetic techniques and how they are related
to diagnosis and treatment of disease. Unlike many clinical genetics books,
this resource also includes chapters on molecular aspects of bacterial and
viral diseases, as well as the molecular basis of immunity.
Principles of Molecular Medicine
Jameson, J. Larry, 1998, 1123 pp.;
Humana Press; ISBN 0896035298
The introduction
by Francis Collins notes that the book succeeds at "bridging the current
gap between basic science and the bedside". This resource is useful for
both clinicians and researchers. In over 100 chapters the book covers the
medical aspects of molecular biology and genetics. The book’s purpose is to
"translate the advances provided by genetics and molecular biology into
each of the major specialties of medicine".
A LITTLE CROSS-SOCIETAL PUBLICITY:
MLA’s Molecular Biology and Genomics Special
Interest Group
http://medicine.wustl.edu/~molbio/
This web page provides information on the Medical
Library Association’s Mol Bio/Genomics SIG, including history, current projects
and activities, a list of members, instructions to join our listserv, and
a short bibliography of print and electronic resources. We will be working
to make the web page even more informative, and expect to soon add several
items to the list of resources.
©2000 University of Florida
Health Science Center Libraries,
by Michele Tennant, Ph.D., MLS
Send comments and/or questions about this site to michele@library.health.ufl.edu.