The Nucleotide, Gene, and dbSNP databases from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) provide a wealth of gene-based information. Nucleotide organizes and makes searchable sequence data from multiple sources, including GenBank and RefSeq. Gene provides detailed information, including gene ontology and genomic context, for known and predicted genes from all major taxonomic groups. And dbSNP archives human single nucleotide variations, microsatellites, and small-scale insertions and deletions.

This class will outline the content, scope, and searching features of NCBI’s Nucleotide, Gene, and dbSNP databases. Real-world searching scenarios will be presented for finding sequence, gene ontology, and variants. Participants will be guided live through hands-on searching workflows using the web interfaces of each database. Participants will learn how to:

• Use a concept-based approach to searching
• Use trusted sources for finding gene names and gene ontology when constructing searches
• Use advanced searching tools, such as fields, truncation, quotation marks, Boolean operators, and index lists
• Navigate and export search results