MuStaR (TM) and other software for locus-specific mutation databases

As the human genome sequencing project nears completion, there has been a v ast increase in the rate at which disease and nondisease associated variant sequences are being sought and detected. This has heightened the need for software with which to accumulate allelic variant (mutation) data, and with which to make the data accessible to the scientific community. Many ad hoc solutions have been developed by those interested in specific genes and di seases, and the creation of central databases which hold data for all genes has provided an alternative repository for some of the locus data. Despite this, few specialised software tools exist for researchers to create their own locus-specific allelic variant databases, This article describes metho ds available to potential curators, including software systems developed wi th the sole purpose of generating locus-specific mutation databases. In par ticular, the authors' own software, MuStaR(TM), is described. MuStaR(TM) al lows curators to maintain a database on a laptop computer if desired, while being able to export the data to an automatically generated Website which will run on any cgi compliant Web server Searching the database and the sub mission of new mutations are made possible through fill-in Web forms. A num ber of other software tools which may be of use to curators are also descri bed. Hum Mutat 15:76-85, 2000. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.