MICADO A NETWORK-ORIENTED DATABASE FOR MICROBIAL GENOMES

Motivation: We created Micado, a database for managing genomic informa tion, as part of the Bacillus subtilis genome programs. Its content wi ll be progressively extended to the whole microbial world. Results: A relational schema is defined for selective queries. It links eubacteri al and archaeal sequences, genetic maps for Bacillus subtilis and Esch erichia coli, and information on mutants. The latter comes from a new functional analysis project of unknown genes in B.subtilis, and the da tabase allows the community to curate information. To help queries fro m users, a graphical interface is built on Set access to the database, and provided through the WWW. We have automated imports of microbial sequences, and E.coli genetic map, by programming parsers of flat file distributions. These ensure smooth updates from molecular biology rep ositories on the Internet. Hyperlinks are created as a complement, to reference other general and specialized related information resources.