ExPASy: SIB bioinformatics resource portal

Abstract

ExPASy (http://www.expasy.org) has worldwide reputation as one of the main bioinformatics resources for proteomics. It has now evolved, becoming an extensible and integrative portal accessing many scientific resources, databases and software tools in different areas of life sciences. Scientists can henceforth access seamlessly a wide range of resources in many different domains, such as proteomics, genomics, phylogeny/evolution, systems biology, population genetics, transcriptomics, etc. The individual resources (databases, web-based and downloadable software tools) are hosted in a 'decentralized' way by different groups of the SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics and partner institutions. Specifically, a single web portal provides a common entry point to a wide range of resources developed and operated by different SIB groups and external institutions. The portal features a search function across 'selected' resources. Additionally, the availability and usage of resources are monitored. The portal is aimed for both expert users and people who are not familiar with a specific domain in life sciences. The new web interface provides, in particular, visual guidance for newcomers to ExPASy.

Figure 1.

ExPASy homepage.

Figure 2.

Detailed information describing a resource.

Figure 3.

Overview of resources that can be queried via the cross-resource search interface (A) (Query all databases). If a resource implements the cross-resource search interface (B) (indicated by the red box named ‘Query interface’ and the arrow leading to the resource), ExPASy will query the resource directly. Other resources that do not implement this specific interface (even if they have other query features), are not included in ExPASy’s parallel query.

Figure 4.

Entry point for the visual guidance interface—includes categories to be selected.

Figure 5.

Tag cloud in the visual guidance interface.

Figure 6.

Monitoring information for a specific resource on the portal. This information is available if one clicks on the resources status sign displayed on the top right in Figure 2.