1- Scientific context and project objectives

The simultaneous study of the proteome and transcriptome can shed light on the regulatory and signalling mechanisms of a cell’s life processes. This project aims to construct a data management and processing tool that will be a reference for the transcriptome and proteome of wheat. This system will have to be developed making sure that it can be used with the general information system (GpiIs) developed at the Research Unit in Genomics and Bioinformatics (URGI) for plant genome data produced by the laboratories of the French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA).

2- Project description

The tool we are planning to construct includes designing an information system that will be able to be integrated into the LifeGrid programme through a database management system (relational SGDB type), comprising user interfaces with specific purposes. The data will have to be organised around 3 main topics: experimental processes, the proteome and the transcriptome. Regarding data processing, two interfaces are being considered:

• A simple user interface (Web type or other) which should enable system query either in the context of “electronic laboratory specifications”, or in the more traditional context of queries on transcriptome and proteome databases.
• An expert query system enabling bioinformatics analyses on data, as well as the extraction of information that has not been explicitly modelled in the system (data search).

3- Public or controlled use

This tool will be for public use. It may be possible to include it in the information system developed for the LifeGrid programme.

4- Expected results

The expected results are:

• A generic proteome and transcriptome data management system
• Positioning the region as a national (and international) leader of the genomics and post-genomics of cereal crops
• Support with developing local research: this system will serve as a basis for developing a knowledge-based system around the description and analysis of the regulatory and signalling means of genetic expression.

LifeGrid, the regional information system