Call for participation in the Lectin Database Project
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During a session on Lectins at the recent Electronic Glycoscience
Conference (EGC-3), the creation of a database of lectin properties was
proposed. We met, formed an informal steering group and devised the bare
bones of the Lectin Database (LDB) project.
The purpose of this posting is to publicise what we are planning and ask
those interested in the LDB project, and who maybe want to be involved, to
contact us.
First, something about the form and content of the LDB.
The LDB will be freely available over the internet as an information
resource for both dedicated lectinologists and casual lectin-users. The LDB
will be complementary to, and interlinked with, the new 3D lectin database
(http://www.cermav.cnrs.fr/databank/lectine/). The LDB has the support of
The Glycoscience Network (http://www.vei.co.uk/TGN/) and the Virtual
Institute of Wet Biology (VIWB, http://emile-21.com/viwb/welcome.html).
VIWB is dedicated to helping real wet biology projects through
bioinformatics and internet technology.
The first stage of the LDB will be to collect available information on
lectins such as: lectin name and abbreviations, PDB entry code and
sequence; source organism and tissue; specificity, inhibitory mono- and
oligo-saccharides, requirements for binding e.g. buffer composition and pH,
metal ions etc; non-sugar inhibitors; commercial suppliers; references for
properties, purification, specificity etc.
Second, ways that you can be involved in the LDB project.
There are currently three ill-defined and overlapping degrees of
involvement:
1. Joining an email list of interested parties who will receive
information about the LDB as it progresses.
2. Submitting information to the LDB on your own lectin research. We
aim to build a network of submitting participants in the lectin research
community to help keep the LDB fully up-to-date.
3. Becoming part of the LDB team. We are looking for lectin-loving
volunteers to help with checking and editing the database entries.
If you are interested in more information and/or want to be part of the LDB
project, please reply to this email (mailto:BMSLWRI1 at livjm.ac.uk) and let
us know if/how you want to be involved. We also welcome any constructive
comments, suggestions or criticisms.
David Ashford, Christian Frosch, Thomas Hamelryck, Anne Imberty, Remy
Loris, Ofer Markman and Lisa Wright
The Lectin Database Project
