GeneNetwork

WHAT IS IT?

GeneNetwork is a web platform that provides access to data and tools to study complex networks of genes, molecules, and higher order gene function and phenotypes. It includes sequence data (SNPs) and transcriptome data sets (expression genetic or eQTL data sets). The Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) mapping module that is built into GeneNetwork is optimized for fast on-line analysis of traits that are controlled by combinations of gene variants and environmental factors. It is used to study humans, mice (BXD, AXB, LXS, etc.), rats (HXB), Drosophila, and plant species (barley and Arabidopsis). Users are welcome to enter their own private data.

WHO CAN USE IT?

Researchers who are interested in studying forward, reverse, and systems genetics, such as identifying a genetic locus underlying variation in a phenotype of interest, or identifying the phenotypes that variants or genetic loci of interest influence. Researchers can explore genes, molecules, and phenotypes using GeneNetwork.

WHAT TYPE OF QUESTIONS CAN IT ANSWER?

1. What is the relation between insulin levels as a function of diet, age, body weight and lifespan in mice? (BXD family; see Nature Metabolism paper by Roy et al., Sept-Oct 2021)

2. How can researchers using single strains of mice broaden the relevance of their findings to improve the translational relevance to human health and to diabetes prevention and treatment?

3. How in the world can a molecular or cell biologist master complex statistical genetic methods to test causal (aka, mechanistic) linkages between DNA variants and disease risk?