IMGT, the international ImMunoGeneTics database

IMGT, the international ImMunoGeneTics database (http://imgt.cnusc.fr:8104) , is a high-quality integrated database specialising in Immunoglobulins (Ig ), T cell Receptors (TcR) and Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) molecu les of all vertebrate species, created in 1989 by Marie-Paule Lefranc, Univ ersite Montpellier II, CNRS, Montpellier, France (lefranc@ligm.igh.cnrs.fr) . IMGT comprises three databases: LIGM-DB, a comprehensive database of Ig a nd TcR, MHC/HLA-DB, and PRIMER-DB (the last two in development); a tool, IM GT/DNAPLOT, developed for sequence analysis and alignments; and expertised data based on the IMGT scientific chart, the IMGT repertoire. By its high q uality and its easy data distribution, IMGT has important implications in m edical research (repertoire in autoimmune diseases, AIDS, leukemias, lympho mas), therapeutic approaches (antibody engineering), genome diversity and g enome evolution studies. IMGT is freely available at http://imgt.cnusc.fr:8 104.