MLA CE Course Manual:
Molecular Biology Information Resources
PubMed Entrez BLAST OMIM Taxonomy Structure
NCBI Home
NCBI Site Map
     brief/complete
Course Description

Schedule

Introduction

Genetics Review

Types of Databases

Format of Sequence Record

Entrez

BLAST

3-D Structures

Genomes and Maps

Librarian Roles

WWW Sites

Glossaries and Dictionaries
Course Description back to top

This course provides an introduction to four domains of information generated by the field of molecular biology:

  • nucleotide sequences
  • protein sequences
  • three-dimensional structures
  • complete genomes and maps
 

A revised and expanded 3-day version of this course is available as of November 2002 and replaces this 8-hour course.
Go to revised and expanded 3-day course the new course.

An overview of search systems available at the National Center for Biotechnology Information, particularly Entrez and BLAST, emphasizes how your current search skills apply to molecular biology databases. The course concludes with a discussion of various levels of molecular biology information services provided by librarians.

It is approved for 8 continuing education credit hours by the Medical Library Association and was given at 24 locations between May 1997 and November 2001. A list of past courses is available.

As of November 2002, this 8-hour course has been replaced by a revised and expanded 3-day introductory course.

Intended Audience back to top

Librarians with limited or no previous experience searching molecular sequence databases.

Although a very brief review of basic genetic concepts and terms is provided at the beginning of the course, it is strongly recommended that participants become familiar with some basic terminology prior to attending. Therefore, prior to attending the course, please read the following:
  • the Genetics Review section of this online course manual.
    Start by viewing the illustration and definition of "cell," and use the arrow at the bottom of each page to move to the next illustration/definition.

  • the Blazing a Genetic Trail web site, which provides an excellent introduction to genetics, gene discovery, and genetic disorders, using cystic fibrosis as an example.
Additional resources are also cited at the bottom of the Genetics Review cover page, for your reference.

Objectives back to top

Upon completing the course, you will be able to:
  1. Understand basic genetic concepts and terms

  2. Identify commonly-used molecular biology information resources, and distinguish between comprehensive and specialized databases

  3. Identify the components of a GenBank record

  4. Retrieve nucleotide and protein sequence records by text term searches using the Entrez retrieval system

  5. Conduct a basic sequence similarity search using the BLAST search system using a nucleotide or protein query sequence

  6. Retrieve three-dimensional structure records by text term searches and display them with a structure viewing program

  7. Identify genome and mapping resources on the NCBI Web site for human and other organisms

  8. Retrieve genome records by text term searches and display the graphic view of the genome map(s)

  9. Refer users to some general web sites for molecular biology databases and software

  10. Consider a level of molecular biology information services that your library can readily provide

Materials back to top

  • This online course manual

  • NCBI Site Map

  • Help documents for various search systems

  • Molecular biology or genetics text

  • Molecular biology and/or cell biology dictionary

Note: Additional tutorials for various search systems are accessible from the NCBI Education page.

Instructor back to top

Renata Geer is a Technical Information Specialist at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), National Library of Medicine (NLM). She joined NCBI in September 1994 as a Technical Information Specialist with The KEVRIC Company, under contract to NCBI, and served as Project Manager for KEVRIC before accepting a position with the NCBI in December 1997. Prior to obtaining her M.L.S. from SUNY at Buffalo in 1993 and completing the National Library of Medicine Associate program in 1994, Renata worked as a Senior Medical Sales Representative with Mead Johnson Pharmaceuticals and taught biology in a variety of settings. She completed her undergraduate degree in biology at Cornell University.

Help Desk NCBI NLM NIH Credits
  Revised November 12, 2002
Comments/questions about course to Renata Geer renata@ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Questions about NCBI resources to info@ncbi.nlm.nih.gov