The 2015 Nucleic Acids Research Database Issue and molecular biology database collection

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Bioinformatics
• Genomics

Background:

• The 2015 Nucleic Acids Research (NAR) Database Issue presents a comprehensive overview of molecular biology databases.
• It includes descriptions of 56 new databases and updates for 115 existing ones, published in NAR and other journals.

Discussion:

• Databases are organized into eight subject categories for improved user navigation.
• Notable new resources include RNAcentral for noncoding RNA, ValidatorDB for protein structures, SASBDB for small-angle scattering data, MoonProt for 'moonlighting' proteins, and ComPPI/Complex Portal for macromolecular complexes.
• A significant number of cancer-related databases and resources for disease genomics, drug targets, and potential drugs are featured.

Key Insights:

• The NAR online Molecular Biology Database Collection remains stable in size, with 74 new resources added and 77 obsolete sites removed.
• The issue emphasizes the growing importance of specialized databases for various biological research areas.
• Highlights showcase advancements in RNA databases, protein structure validation, macromolecular complex analysis, and disease-focused genomics.

Outlook:

• Future database development will likely focus on community-driven resources and specialized data types.
• Increased integration of cancer genomics and drug discovery databases is anticipated.
• Continued curation and maintenance of the NAR Database Collection are crucial for researchers.