The Internet for the Molecular Biologist

The gateway to information and resources for the molecular biologist.


The Internet for the Molecular Biologist

It is now many years since Walter Gilbert, in a prescient commentary in "Nature", urged the molecular biologist to develop computer literacy and to "hook our individual computers into the worldwide network that gives us access to daily changes in the databases and also makes immediate our communications with each other" (Gilbert, 1991. Towards a paradigm shift in biology. Nature. 349: 99). If you have not yet heeded this advice then you have much to gain by learning now because, as Gilbert anticipated, the Internet is where we find many of the key tools with which we perform our craft.

Beginning in late 1993, the Internet started making headlines in the mass media, primarily because of the advent of the World Wide Web (WWW). Molecular biologists can find a wide range of tools not generally available in local university or research environments, such as the massive genome-related databases. Even if many of these tools are available locally, one will generally find on the network larger databases and more powerful computers with state-of-the-art software. This page introduces some of the Internet resources that are of use to researchers working in molecular biology, microbiology, and genetics. Given the breadth of this field, and the rate at which Internet resources grow and change, this cannot be a comprehensive review; the aim is simply to give sufficient information to get new users familiar with key resources. The main resources described here offer on-line guides and help documentation that are updated with each improvement to the service offered.

Here you will find information on all aspects of the Internet (WWW, FTP, gopher, databases, email, newsgroups, etc) as they relate to molecular biology and other life sciences.


Resources on the Web for the Molecular Biologist

Frontiers in Computational Genomics Edited by: Michael Y. Galperin and Eugene V. Koonin
Published: 2003   ISBN: 978-0-9542464-4-0
Price: GB £90 or US $180
Computational biology and bioinformatics form a major, integral part of genomics. From sequence fragment assembly, to gene prediction, to prediction of protein functions and structure, to identification of regulatory signals in DNA, to building phylogenetic trees, it would not be an exaggeration to state that genomics is primarily computational. Major new programs, software and internet facilities have evolved recently that facilitate computational analysis and more novel technologies are currently being developed. Written by experts in the field, this volume highlights research on the emerging, perhaps somewhat controversial, topics in genomics and shows the feedback between the new developments and the established methods of computational biology. An essential book for anyone involved in genomic science or bioinformatics. read more ...
Plasmids: Current Research and Future Trends Edited by: Georg Lipps
Published: 2008   ISBN: 978-1-904455-35-6
Price: GB £150 or US $310
Written by acknowledged experts in the field, this volume provides an up to date treatment of the structure, function and application of plasmids with a particular emphasis on current and future trends. The book is aimed primarily at research scientists, graduate students and professional scientists but will also be of great interest to all molecular biologists and microbiologists involved in research or teaching. Chapters include a historical perspective on E. coli plasmids and the scientific background of the plasmids used routinely in laboratories to clone genes and to express proteins; an overview on the plasmids of archaea and eukarya; bioinformatic tools; horizontal gene transfer and the process of DNA transfer. Two entire chapters are devoted to the important medical applications of plasmids, including the correction of gene defects and vaccines to treat cancer or infectious diseases. read more ...
Genomic Technologies: Present and Future Edited by: David J. Galas
Published: 2002   ISBN: 978-0-9542464-2-6
Price: GB £90 or US $180
The chapters in this book reflect the range of technical advances and their applications that are currently transforming biology. Topics covered include the application of computational methods, the robotics of modern automation methodologies, the new chemical and imaging methods that reveal chromosome structure and elucidate gene function, and the emergence of evolutionary and functional information by comparative genomics. Eminent international scientists describe in detail the new technology necessary to study the entire genome in a holistic manner and all the high throughput and large-scale experimental methodologies currently being used in genomic science. In addition the authors describe the progress of the newest technologies that are currently being developed. read more ...
Genomics of GC-Rich Gram-Positive Bacteria Edited by: Antoine Danchin
Published: 2002   ISBN: 978-0-9542464-3-3
Price: GB £75 or US $150
Eminent scientists have contributed comprehensive reviews on all aspects of the genomics of Rhodococcus, Mycobacteria, Streptomyces and other organisms. The authors provide an insight into the many facets of large-scale functional investigation in a variety of bacteria with the explicit goal to find common rules in the dynamic and structural organisation of these organisms. This volume is the definitive guide to current research in this increasingly important area. read more ...
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  • Molecular Biology Resources

    Molecular Biology Gateway
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