Database

In Bioinformatics, databases are used for a number of functions, crucially including finding protein and gene sequence information. They are divided into two groups:

Primary Databases

Aim to contain all protein or DNA sequence data - more is continually added as new discoveries are made. Include:

• Databases of Proteins: PIR, MIPS, SwissProt and TrEMBL
• Databases of DNA Sequences: EMBL, GenBank, DDBJ

Secondary Databases

Contain selected sequences which are compiled by scientists analysing the available Primary Databases. Usually contain sequences chosen for their similarities: for example, ProSite focuses on functional motifs.