[
International C. elegans Meeting,
1997]
The ACEDB worm genome database has been released more frequently since 1995, approaching monthly. It currently uses 500 MB disk space, having doubled since May 1996, and we expect this to double again in the next year as the genomic sequence is finished (more space is required when building from updates). For those not requiring the genomic sequence, we now also make available a smaller database of around 60MB containing all other information. Regular data sources include bibliography, address and strain lists (CGC), genomic sequence and analysis (Consortium), WBG and WM abstracts (Leon Avery), physical map (Alan Coulson), EMBL sequences. Genetic data and gene expression data come to us continuously but irregularly, either from members of the worm community or from a literature search. Data from the current call for genetic data (WBG 14.5) will be included this summer, in conjunction with the new map from the CGC. In 1996, new classes were added for gene expression information: Expr_pattern, Life_stage, Cell_group. Our thanks to Ian Hope for initiating this, and to his lab and Donna Albertson for early data. More extensive use of these classes requires more active input from the community. We are endeavouring to provide connections between Genes/Strains/Clones/Sequences and expression data, as well as to Papers/WBG articles. We plan during this year to provide graphical WWW access to ACEDB. We would value other suggestions for new user interfaces, new types of data, further connections between classes or improved terminology. ACEDB ftp sites are ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/repository/acedb/, ftp.sanger.ac.uk/pub/acedb/, lirmm.lirmm.fr/genome/acedb/.