MyBASE: a database for genome polymorphism and gene function studies of Mycobacterium

We have developed a mycobacterial database (MyBASE) housing genome polymorphism data and gene functions to provide the mycobacterial research community with a useful information resource and analysis platform. Whole genome comparison data produced by our lab and the novel genome polymorphisms identified were deposited into MyBASE. Extensive literature review of genome polymorphism data, mainly large sequence polymorphisms (LSPs), operon predictions and curated annotations of virulence and essentiality of mycobacterial genes are unique features of MyBASE. Large-scale genomic data integration from public resources makes MyBASE a comprehensive data warehouse useful for current research. All data is cross-linked and can be graphically viewed via a toolbox in MyBASE.As an integrated platform focused on the collection of experimental data from our own lab and published literature, MyBASE will facilitate analysis of genome structure and polymorphisms, which will provide insight into genome evolution. Importantly, the database will also facilitate the comparison of virulence factors among various mycobacterial strains. MyBASE is freely accessible via http://mybase.psych.ac.cn webcite.Mycobacteria are notorious for its two species, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) and Mycobacterium leprae (M. leprae), the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB) and leprosy, respectively. In addition to M. tb and M. leprae, a number of mycobacterial pathogens also cause human and animal diseases, including Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis), the causative agent of classical bovine tuberculosis, and Mycobacterium ulcerans (M. ulcerans), which causes Buruli ulcers. The emergence of multi-drug resistant strains of pathogenic mycobacteria has made the development of better vaccines and new drugs and novel control strategies a top priority.The genome of M. tb H37Rv was the first mycobacterial genome to be sequenced and was published in 1998 [1], which was followed by the genome of M. leprae in 2001 [2]