(
2014-05)
Fischer, Antje H. L.; Mozzherin, Dmitry; Eren, A. Murat; Lans, Kristen D.; Wilson, Nathan; Cosentino, Carlo; Smith, Joel
Marine and aquatic animals are extraordinarily useful as models for identifying mechanisms of
development and evolution, regeneration, resistance to cancer, longevity and symbiosis, among many
other areas of research. This is due to the great diversity of these organisms and their wide-ranging
capabilities. Genomics tools are essential for taking advantage of these “free lessons” of nature.
However, genomics and transcriptomics are challenging in emerging model systems. Here, we present
SeaBase, a tool for helping to meet these needs. Specifically, SeaBase provides a platform for sharing
and searching transcriptome data. More importantly, SeaBase will support a growing number of tools
for inferring gene network mechanisms. The first dataset available on SeaBase is a developmental
transcriptome profile of the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis (Anthozoa, Cnidaria). Additional
datasets are currently being prepared and we are aiming to expand SeaBase to include user-supplied
data for any number of marine and aquatic organisms, thereby supporting many potentially new models
for gene network studies.
