Abstract
RIKEN Arabidopsis Genome Encyclopedia (http://rarge.psc.riken.jp/)--commonly known as RARGE--is a web database that provides basic information about the Arabidopsis genome, such as information related to cDNA sequences and transposon-insertion mutants. Recently, we have redeveloped the RARGE database to enable convenient searches, without the influence of differences in resources, for traits of loss- or gain-of-function mutant lines and involved gene functions. So far, we organized 4 datasets of Arabidopsis mutant traits and then redefined these traits by using synonymous ontology terms. We reformed the development regime and improved technical platforms by changing the database management system via thorough redesigning of the database schema and utilization of a web application framework. Consequently, we greatly improved the functional gene annotation of Arabidopsis and search facility, which will help future researchers.
