Plant, Animal & Microbe Genomes X Conference Plant, Animal & Microbe Genomes X ConferenceJanuary 12-16, 2002
Town & Country Convention Center
San Diego, CA
Workshop: Controlled Vocabulary/Ontology
Plant genomic databases need to accurately and consistently document features (e.g. gene structures, products, functions, phenotypes, traits, developmental stages, anatomical parts), using a syntax which facilitates inter-database searches. This interoperability will enable comparative genomic strategies to elucidate plant functions. The Plant Ontology Consortium (POC) is applying and extending the Gene Ontology (GO) paradigm to knowledge domains pertinent to plant taxa. The GO paradigm is making it possible to annotate homologous gene and protein sequences in many databases for multiple organisms using a common vocabulary (http://www.geneontology.org). The POC aims at providing ontologies and controlled vocabularies for monocot and dicot plant taxa - initially Zea mays, Oryza sativa and Arabidopsis thaliana, but extending to other important taxa in due course. The POC aims to facilitate the communications, productivity and collaborations amongst the core participants of the POC involved in developing ontologies and controlled vocabularies for some monocot and dicot taxa. A further aim is numerical growth of participants, extended collaboration with the ongoing research of the GO Consortium and the provision of educational opportunities to students interested in this area of bioinformatics research. It is anticipated that the POC will impact the bioinformatics research of other national and international plant-based research groups/researchers (e.g. Soybean, Sugarcane, Cassava, Tree, Grain, Microarray etc.), via the provision of various ontology products, community resources and educational inputs. A sample of ontology and controlled vocabulary for gross morphology - based on maize (Zea mays), rice (Oryza sativa) and Arabidopsis thaliana, will be presented.