Java add-on to GenDB V2.2 for comparative genomics.

About

Genome and metagenome sequencing is increasingly turned to as means to understand the functional diversity and adaptive mechanisms of microorganisms. Worldwide sequencing efforts have produced a deluge of data, which must now be transferred into biological knowledge. Several annotation systems have been developed to facilitate this process, such as GenDB, developed at University of Bielefeld.

JCoast is a Java-based software tool, which effectively runs as an extension of existing GenDB v2.2 annotation projects. The major improvement rises from JCoast's ability to facilitate rapid and comprehensive comparison of a reference genome with respect to additional genomes, and even metagenomes. It was designed to allow biologists a rapid overview of genome and metagenome projects, using sortable tables to display the information. The JCoast workbench provides search tools and statistical methods to efficiently and intuitively answer questions of comparative genomics.


Features

  • Sortable tables with project content overview
  • Extensive Pfam model search functionality, including graphical displays of domain structure
  • Creation of custom gene-groups
  • Merging of projects for cross-genome analysis
  • Taxonomic restriction of search functions (e.g. group-specific genes)


JCoast is compatible with the GenDB v2.2 data model. However, it is easily adjusted to introduce new features, including compatability with new or custom databases.

The JCoast installation is simple. It is either integrated into existing GenDB installations, or used as a standalone on any computer with a precomputed MySQL database. This means flexibility and portability by allowing the researcher to literally carry their projects with them, e.g. during travel, meetings, and conferences.

In addition to the graphical front-end, the package includes a complete Java-API (Applications Programmer Interface) to write custom classes for individual research questions, purposes, and needs.

License

The current version of JCoast is released under the GNU General Public License, as published by the Free Software Foundation version 3 of the License.


System requirements

  • Windows or Linux operating system
  • Sun Java, at least version 1.6
  • at least 512Mb of RAM