The mammalian gene mutation database

The Mammalian Gene Mutation Database (MGMD) is a comprehensive collection of published mutation data from the open literature on mammalian cell-based gene model mutation detection systems. The database currently contains approximately 30000 comprehensively described mutant spectra records and it is maintained and up- dated on a daily basis. The major objectives of the MGMD were (i) to provide an Internet-accessible database (http://lisntweb.swan.ac. uk/cmgt/index.htm) for chemically induced and spontaneous mutation types and spectra in selected genes; (ii) to standardize the reporting of mutations within different genes where ambiguity exists in the literature; and (iii) to provide interactive and user-friendly access to the information. A multi-option search facility has been included that allows the user to search the database for parameters such as mutagen, gene or cell type of interest. The structure of the database permits easy retrieval of specific mutation data for further analysis. Thus, the MGMD should become a useful and necessary reference source and provides an analysis tool for genetic toxicologists.