WebWatch

Abstract

BioTechniquesVol. 43, No. 2 WebWatchOpen AccessWebWatchKevin AhernKevin AhernSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:16 May 2018https://doi.org/10.2144/000112523AboutSectionsPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Giving Life to BiologyCatering to instructors of beginning biological science courses, the Baylor College of Medicine's popular BioEd Online collection is an oasis in a desert of need. With media offerings that include video, audio, and slide presentations and topics covering diverse topics in modern biological science, BioEd Online has the content necessary to provide up-to-date instruction in modern biology classes. High school and beginning college instructors alike will welcome expert presentations on the current topics of cloning, stem cells, animal behavior, infectious diseases, gene manipulation, and childhood obesity that they can bring to their students. A news section, entitled “Hot Topics in Biology” keeps everyone up to date, and the Discussions section keeps participants in touch with each other and provides opportunities for further dialogues on the topics.@ www.bioedonline.orgOf Chemicals, Genes, and DiseaseThat chemicals have effects on genes is not disputed, nor that the environment is awash in a sea of these compounds. Mix the genes of human beings with an equal number of compounds (yielding over 40,000 interactions), and you've got an enormous body of information. Stepping up to the plate is the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD), which hits a home run in the subject by delivering important references to researchers on the topics of disease, gene/chemical interactions, effects of chemicals on cellular function, and cross-species observations. Powerful, yet easy-to-use search systems, combined with hyperlinked results put valuable information in the hands of researchers in seconds. A godsend for anyone working in or interested in the rapidly expanding field of toxicogenomics.@ ctd.mdibl.orgTurning the Pages of HistoryGo back. Go way back in the history of scientific investigation and you'll discover some of the earliest significant writings concerned plants. From Carolus Linnaeus to J.D. Hooker, the works of the early botanists form an important part of the foundation of modern science. The Botanicus Digital Library recognizes and brings to life some of these early, classic writings of the masters of botany. With a collection dating to 1623, Botanicus delivers not just summaries of almost 200 original works, but actual scans of the documents. A treasure trove for history buffs and plant lovers alike, the Botanicus Digital Library is produced by the Missouri Botanical Garden Library with support from the W.M. Keck and Andrew W. Mellon Foundations.@ www.botanicus.orgInvention ConventionBuying and selling of consumer goods is easy. You go to the market, make your choices, swipe the debit/credit card, take your goods home, and enjoy them. It's as simple as that. However, what if what you want to buy/sell is not a product, but instead an idea/invention? That's a different can of worms and a question a group of entrepreneurs asked themselves. The answer they came up with is called Techquisition. Specializing in connecting buyers and sellers of intellectual property (IP) relating to technology, Techquisition is a new enterprise (launched in July, 2006) with a cost (free) that will likely facilitate interactions of IP players via its hands-off approach to its clientele. An interesting philosophy for an often high-pressure environment.@ www.techquisition.comMaking Missense/Nonsense SenseMutation makes the world go 'round or so it seems, from a biological perspective. Relatively minor molecular changes in protein function or quantity can, in many cases, present themselves as larger, organismal issues, resulting in disease or other problems. At the Human Gene Mutation Database, hosted at Cardiff University, visitors can learn about the relationships between mutation and disease (after free registration for academics) by accessing data on over 50,000 genes grouped according to type/effect of mutation (missense/nonsense, splice, regulatory, deletion, insertion, rearrangement, repeat variation). Data can also be retrieved by disease, OMIM number, gene symbol, and description.@ www.hgmd.cf.ac.uk/ac/index.phpFiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Vol. 43, No. 2 Follow us on social media for the latest updates Metrics Downloaded 144 times History Published online 16 May 2018 Published in print August 2007 Information© 2007 Author(s)PDF download