The Hymenoptera Genome Database (HGD)

The Hymenoptera Genome Database provides curated genomic and genetic data for hymenopteran insects to support comparative and functional genomics across bees, wasps, and ants.

Key Features:

• Open-source infrastructure: Utilizes open-source software and relational databases to store and manage genomic data.
• Curated data repository: Contains predicted and annotated gene sets with evidence tracks including expressed sequence tags (ESTs), complementary DNAs (cDNAs), small RNA sequences, and GC composition domains, with community-contributed annotations.
• Comparative genomics scope: Includes genomic data from nine hymenopteran species spanning approximately 200 million years of evolutionary history to enable phylogenetic and comparative studies.
• Sequence-query tools: Operates genome browsers and BLAST/PSI-BLAST servers for sequence-level queries and analyses.

Scientific Applications:

• Genomic research: Supports investigation of genetic, genome sequence, and gene expression data to study biological processes in hymenopteran insects.
• Model organism studies: Enables comparative analyses among model hymenopteran organisms to transfer genomic knowledge across species.
• Agricultural impact: Facilitates research on agriculturally important species to inform pest management and pollinator conservation.

Methodology:

HGD employs genome browsers and BLAST/PSI-BLAST servers backed by open-source software and relational databases.