Logging too much time on your iPad playing Angry Birds? How about a truly productive app? Browse the human genome on your iPad. Twelve years ago the complete genome wasn't even accessible. Now you can hold the work of Celera Corporation, government universities, and research centers from around the world in your hands. Isn't this is the way technology is supposed to work, making life simpler and more productive at the same time? Take your iPad to the lab guilt-free and share it with colleagues.
The Center for Biomedical Informatics at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has created Genome Wowser, an app for accessing the UCSC Genome Browser, where you can explore genomic information intuitively, anywhere, anytime. Download the app for free from the
"Genome Wowser" lives up to its name
The well-designed app is simple enough: just enter the name of a gene in Wowser's search box. The app finds the gene on one of the 23 human chromosomes, quickly displaying an interactive image of its precise location among the genome's 3 billion base pairs. This will feel like one of those special Gutenberg moments with "Genome Wowser" living up to its name.
There are also valuable annotations contributed by researchers about each gene's known or suspected biological functions, identified mutations, and gene variants. There is also information about neighboring genes or epigenetics. The iPad's familiar pinching and spreading gestures allows you to zoom in or out of the chromosome region. Ok, now we're back to gaming quality, but who can blame you for eliminating needless drudgery?
"We feel that Genome Wowser provides immediacy to the human genome," said Peter White, Ph.D., director of CBMi in a press release. "With this app, I can hear about an interesting disease gene at a seminar and see its genomic and functional contexts in a few screen touches," said White. "Then, I can walk over to a colleague and share it with them."
Upcoming versions of the app will provide access to genome sequences of over three dozen non-human species, including dogs, cats, mice, chimpanzees, elephants, and 11 species of fruit fly, plus further improvements in the touch interface.
What are your favorite lab-related smartphone or iPad apps?
Graphic: DNA- Public Domain, Wilicommons
CBMi logo: screen grab
Photo: Ipad on desk- in-use pictures, Wikicommons
Photo: IPad- Glenn Fleishman, Wikicommons
Photo: Human Genome from database- USGov, public domain, Wikicommons
