Databases and data mining

Abstract

Over the course of the past decade, the breadth of information that is made available through online resources for plant biology has increased astronomically, as have the interconnectedness among databases, online tools, and methods of data acquisition and analysis. For maize researchers, the number of resources available is both impressive and daunting, in many cases leaving them at a loss regarding where to begin. Described here is an historical perspective on the origin of these resources, as well as how they are expected to change and grow in the future. We outline the current types of resources, how they are connected, and methods for data acquisition, analysis, and interpretation. In addition, we offer guidance to assist researchers place data generated by their maize projects into appropriate databases for long-term storage and use.