OverCOVID: an integrative web portal for SARS-CoV-2 bioinformatics resources

Area of Science:

• Bioinformatics
• Computational Biology
• Virology

Background:

• The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 causes COVID-19, a significant global health threat.
• Extensive genomic, proteomic, and clinical data are generated for understanding SARS-CoV-2 and developing treatments.
• Existing bioinformatics resources are fragmented, hindering efficient researcher access and data analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an integrated web portal, OverCOVID, to centralize SARS-CoV-2-related bioinformatics resources.
• To facilitate researchers' access to diverse data types including genomic, proteomic, and clinical information.
• To accelerate COVID-19 research and drug development by providing a unified platform for data discovery and analysis.

Main Methods:

• Development of the OverCOVID integrated web portal (http://bis.zju.edu.cn/overcovid/).
• Incorporation of publicly available SARS-CoV-2 web servers, databases, and analytical tools.
• Implementation of a network view for visualizing resource scope and interaction layers.
• Visualization of SARS-CoV-2 strains and related interaction resources.

Main Results:

• OverCOVID successfully integrates scattered bioinformatics resources for SARS-CoV-2 research.
• The portal provides a centralized platform for accessing and analyzing diverse SARS-CoV-2 data.
• Network visualization aids in understanding the scope and interconnections of available research resources.
• Detailed information on SARS-CoV-2 strains and interaction resources is readily available.

Conclusions:

• The OverCOVID web portal serves as a valuable, integrated resource for scientists studying SARS-CoV-2.
• By consolidating scattered data, OverCOVID streamlines the search process and accelerates research efforts.
• This platform is expected to significantly contribute to understanding SARS-CoV-2 biology and advancing COVID-19 therapeutics.