Having a BLAST: Analyzing Gene Sequence Data with BlastQuest

An essential problem for biologists is the processing and evaluation of BLAST results. We advocate the deployment of database technology and describe a userdriven tool, called BlastQuest. BlastQuest provides interactive, Web-enabled query, analysis, and visualization facilities beyond what is possible by current BLAST interfaces. Specifically, the BLAST results are extracted, structured, and stored persistently in a relational database to support a series of built-in analysis operations that can be used to select, filter, and order data from multiple BLAST results efficiently and without referring to the original results. Users have the option to interact with BlastQuest through a forms-based interface.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2003
• Where: DEXAW
• Authors: William G. Farmerie, Joachim Hammer, Li Liu, Markus Schneider
• Keywords: Built-in Analysis Operations, Current Blast Interfaces, Database, DEXAW 2003, Essential Problem