The population biology browser (PopBio) from Vectorbase

VectorBase is a Bioinformatics Resource Center (BRC) focused on invertebrate vectors of human pathogens. The VectorBase data, tools and resources are updated and expanded every two months. In 2013 we have almost tripled the number of hosted genomes from 11 to 30. In early 2011 the Rhodnius prolixus genome was made available in VectorBase and the initial gene set (RproC1.0) was released in 2012. The gene set has been updated twice since, once in 2013 (RproC1.1) and recently in February 2014 (RproC1.2). For details about this R. prolixus strain, assembly and gene set please visit the URL www.vectorbase.org/organisms/rhodnius-prolixus. A new tool, the Population Biology Browser (PopBio), which we had presented initially under a beta version, was also released. This new tool is part of our ongoing efforts to integrate genomic (e.g., Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms, SNPs), phenotypic (e.g., insecticide resistance) and population data (e.g., collection site habitat or host preference), as a strategy to integrate basic and applied research. You can browse the list of projects and navigate through their samples and assays or query PopBio using the “Search” tool. Data is shown in tables and graphical summaries, such as bar graphs and maps. Data is also shown in VectorBase genome browser using the “sample picker”, to chose the samples and display their SNPs. You are very welcome to submit data for any field or laboratory study to PopBio. If you have any questions or were not able to meet with us for a demo, please send us your comments to info@vectorbase.org.